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LETTERS 


TO    A 

YOUNG       LADY, 

ON      A      VARIETT     OF 

USEFUL  AND  INTERESTING  SUBJECTS  ; 

CALCULATED    TO 

IMPROVE   THE    HEART,    TO   FORM    THE    MANNERS, 
AND     ENLlCHTiN     THE    U  ND»RST  ANDI  N  C. 

"  That  our  Daughters  may  be  as  polifhed  Corners  of  the  Temple,'* 
TO  WHICH   IS   PREFIXED, 

STRICTURES  on  FEMALE  EDUCATION. 
By  THE  R.EV.  JOHN  BENNETT. 

F.;OM  THL   FOURTH    LONDON   EDITI   -N   IMPR'J.ED. 
I      ■■     II      !■        ■■■ ■ ■! »i'« ■!»■ »iiawii- 

IN  TWO   VOLUMES. 

VOL.    I. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

PRINTED    FOR    W.     SPOTSWOOD,     AND    H.   AND  P.  RICE> 
Market -fir eet, 

^793' 


ikuca.,<^  Jcr^     i^^  .-^^.        o4'7?y 


^7:  /TO  TH«     ■y  ^ 

^'^y^QpEEN  OF  GREAT-BRITAIN,  0?;:. 


M  A  D  A  M> 

j|  HE  encouragement  of  every  thing 
virtuous  and  laudable,  has  been  a  dif- 
tinguifhing  charaderiftic  of  your  reign  ; 
and  if  licentioufnefs  and  vice  have  in- 
fefted  the  kingdom,  it  is  not  becaufe 
they  have  received  any  countenance 
from  your  fovereign  authority,  or  even 
vsranted  its  moft  falutary  reftraints  and 
pointed  oppofition. 

To  your  own  fex,  in  particular,  you 
have  exhibited  a  moft  inftrudlive  and 
animating  example.  You  have  taught 
them  by  a  filent,  but  impreffive  lan- 
guage, to  depend  more  for  real  influ- 
ence and  efteem,  on  the  mild,  the  foft, 
and  the  attracflive  graces,  than  on  all 
the  perifiiahle  appendages  of  greatnefs, 
illuftrious  birth,  political  interference, 
or  even  the  dazzling  fplendours  of  a 
throne. 

A2 


Ir  DEDICATION. 

In  an  age,  when  artificial  gaieties 
have  almoft  banifhed  the  fweeter  plea- 
fures  of  fimpHcity  and  nature,  you  have 
difplayed  as  great  a  fondnefs,  as  the  ne- 
ceiiary  avocations  of  royalty  would  per- 
mit, tor  domeftic  retirement.  Fafhion- 
ab!e  mothers  might  have  derived  a  Icf- 
lon  from  your  condud.  Your  royal 
breaft  has  appeared  to  vibrate  with  a 
more  exquifite  delight,  to  the  careffes 
of  a  tender  offspring,  in  the  Hiades  of 
Windfor,  than  it  ever  received  from 
crowded  levees,  or  the  fuperbeft  bril- 
liance of  a  court. 

In  a  period  of  falfe  refinement,  vxhcn 
conjugal  fidelity  has.  not  appeared  a  fa- 
vourite virtue,  your  Majefty  has  been 
a  model  of  as  delicate  an  attachment, 
as  ever  graced  the  pureft  ages  of  anti- 
quity, or  occurs  in  the  voluminous  an- 
nals of  the  world.  And  in  an  aera  of 
faftidious  affluence,  when  Chriftianity 
has  been  undermined  by  the  fubtilty  of 
fceptics,  and  ftill  more  dilgraced  by  the 
lukewarmnefs  and  irregularities  of  its 
profefTors  ;  when  its  grand  bulwark,  the 
Chriftian  Sabbath,  has  been  daringly  at- 
tacked, particularly  amongfl:  the  higher 
ranks  of  people,   by  many  kinds  of  li- 


DEDICATION.  v 

centious  amufement,  you  have  done 
every  thing  in  co-operation  with  our  be- 
loved Monarch,  to  flop  the  progrefs  of 
the  evil,  that  could  refult  from  virtuous 
precepts,  or  the  unfuUied  luftre  of  ex- 
ample. 

Amidft  this^<f;/<fr^/a{remblage  of  vir- 
tues, there  is  one  point,  however,  in 
which  your  Majefty's  charader  fhines 
forth  with  peculiar  luftre,  and  will  com- 
mand the  grateful  veneration  of  the 
moft  diftant  pofterity.  It  is  that,  which 
is  particularly  enforced  in  this  work, 
and  fo  clofely  interwoven  with  the  moft 
effential  intereft  of  fociety- —female 
education.  This,  your  Majefty  is  al- 
lowed to  have  ftudied  with  greater  ear- 
neftnefs  than  any  woman  throughout 
your  dominions ;  I  may  add,  with  bet- 
ter fuccefs.  Your  royal  daughters  are 
a  daily  living  comment  on  the  excel- 
lence of  your  inftrudions,  and  are  infi- 
nitely more  celebrated  for  the  graces  of 
their  hearts,  the  elegance  of  their  man- 
ners, and  the  improvement  of  their  un- 
derftanding,  than  the  magnificence  of 
their  family,  or  the  fplendour  of  their 
birth. 

A3 


W  DEDICATION. 

I  cannot,  therefore,  but  be  deeply 
fenfible  of  the  high  honour,  that  was 
conferred  on  me,  when  your  Majefty 
condcfcended  to  look  into  this  work  in 
manufcript,  and  give  me  the  unreferved 
privilege  of  infcriblng  it  to  yo  r  protec- 
tion ;  and  I  would  take  a  refpedful 
leave  of  your  Majefty  with  uttering  an 
earncft  wifh,  which,  elevated  as  you  are, 
muft  come  near  the  heart — that  the 
daughters  you  have  cultivated  with  fuch 
a  tender  alRduity,  may  long  continue 
(what  they  are,)  the  ornament  of  their 

fex — of  their   kingdom — of  Europe 

the  prop,  when  fhe  wants  it,  of  their 
declining  parent ;  your  confolers  in  that 
awful  moment,  when  even  Majefty  muft 
be  duft ;  and  your  companions  in  that 
heaven,  where  the  virtues  will  remxain, 
though  titles  and  greatnefs  and  diftinc- 
tions  are  forgotten ! 

I  have  the  honour   to   be,  with  the 
moft  profound  gratitude  and  refped, 
Madam, 
Your  Majesty's 

moft  devoted  Subject 
and  Servant, 

THE  AUTHOR. 


ABVEPvTISE^MENl\ 


J[  H  E  following  Letters  have  long 
lain  by  the  author  in  a  flate  of  negled ; 
indeed  of  uncertainty  whether  the  pub- 
lication of  them  would  do  any  credit  to 
himfelf,  cr  fervice  to  the  world.  Nor 
does  he  think,  that  he  fliould  ever  have 
prefumed  to  expofe  them  before  the  for- 
midable tribunal  of  the  public,  unlefs 
animated  by  the  name  of  the  very  ex- 
alted and  amiable  perfonage,  to  w^hom 
they  are  addrcifed. 

M  they  defcrve  no  fame,  they  ought, 
hovvcver,  in  his  opinion,  to  be  branded 
with  no  mi  align  ant  or  invidious  ccnfure, 
as  their  intention  is  really  to  ferve  the 
faireft  and  mofi  amiable  part  of  the 
creation  ;  to  roufe  young  ladies  from  a 
vacant  or  infipid  life,  itto  one  of  ufe- 
fulnefs  and  laudable  exertion.^ to  re- 


viil  ADVERTISEMENT. 

call  them  from  vifionary  novels  and  ro- 
mances into  folid  rcadino;  and  reflexion 
— and  from  the  criminal  abfurdities  of 
fafhion,  to  the  fimplicity  of  nature  and 
the  dignity  of  virtue.  He  h3,s  attempted 
a  method  of  uniting,  in  their  charader, 
the  graces  with  the  virtues ;  an  amiable 
heart  with  elegant  manners  and  an  en- 
lightened underftanding  ;  and  if  he 
fhould  not  have  fucceeded,  is  by  no 
means  the  firft  perfon,  w^ho  has  mif- 
judged  his  Powers,  "  (fiii  magnis  excidit 
''  aufis  ;'  and  can  refle£l  for  his  com- 
fort, that  laudable  proje&9  are  perhaps 
the  whole,  that  lies  within  the  narrow 
circle,  or  the  talents  of  the  bulk  of 
mortals. 


TABLE      OF 


CONTENTS 

TO    THE     LETTERS. 


This  Work  recommends,    in  the  following 
Order, 

I.  RELIGIOUS  KNOJVLEDGEy  ivlth  a  Lifi 

rf  proper   Writers, 

II.  P  elite  Knew/edge  J  as  it  relates  to  the  Belles 
Lettres  in  general  :  Epijlolary  Writings  Hijlory^  the 
Lives  of  particular  PerfonSy  Geography^  Natural 
Hyhryy  AJlronomyy  Poetry^  Paintings  Sculpturey 
Architeclurey  Heraldry^  Voyages^  Travelsy  <S'c.  with 
a^  Catalogue  ofy  and  Criticifms  upon^  the  mojl  approved 
Authors  under  each  Article, 

III.  AccompliJfjmentSy  as  difplayed  in  Needle-work ^ 
Embroidery^  Drawing,  MufiCy  Dcnicing,  Drefs,  Pg~ 
liienefsy   isfc. 

IV.  Prudential  ConduEl  and  Maxims,  with  ;v- 
fpe5l  to  AmuJementSy    Love^     CourtJIjip,   Marriage^ 


}J^aU//  C.   ..<^ti/i4/f^ 


STRICTURES 


O  N 


FEMALE  EDUCATION; 


CHIEVLV    AS    IT    &£LATIS    TO    TH£ 


CULTURE  OF  THE  HEART, 


IN    FOUR    ESSAYS. 


"   soil    FAKTNRR,   AND    SOLB    PART   Of    ALL    THESB    J0V5, 
"   DEARBR    THYSBLf    THAN    ALL."  MUtOJU 

EST    QUODAM    PRODIRB    TENUS,    SI    NGN 

DATUR.    ULTRA.  //#r. 


STRICTURES 


O   N 


FEMALE     EDUCATION. 


It  is,  melhlnks,  a  low  and  degrading  idea  of  that  fcx,  which  was 
created  to  refine  the  joys,  and  to  foften  the  cares  of  humanity  by 
the  moll  agreeable  participation,  to  confider  them  merely  as  ob- 
jefts  of  fight.  This  is  abridging  them  of  their  natural  extent  of 
power,  and  putting  them  upon  a  level  with  their  pidlurcs  at 
Kncller's. 

SpS.  vol.  1.  No.  33. 

DoBrina  fed  vim  premovd  infitam 

ReHiptc  cultui  pe£lora  roborant.  Hor. 


W  HEN  we  confider  the  natural  equality  of 
women  with  the  other  fex,  their  iniluence  upon 
fociety,  and  their  original  cleftination  to  be  the  com- 
panions and  comforters  of  man  j  when  we  recol- 
le«5l  the  pleafures  derived  from  their  *  agreeable 
vivacity  and  fpriglitlinefsj  the  foothing  ten.lerncfs 
of  their  friendship,  and  the  ardency  of  tiieir  af- 
fedtion  *,  when  we  call  to  mind  all  their  charms 
and  attradions  ;  above  ail,  when  we  refiecl,  that 
the  youth,  of  both  fexes,  are   under   their  ma- 

*  Thcodorct  believed  Adam  to  have  been  natutally  of  a  favagc 
ciifpofition,  but  civilized  by  the  amiable  deportment  end  foothin;^ 
Llandifhments  of  his  help  meet. 

Evam  iibcraffc  a  belluma  Iciitate,  virum  fuum  Auuitj. 

B 


2  STRICTURES       ON 

nagement  for  many  of  thofe  early  years,  when  all 
the  durable  impreirions  muft:  be  made,  it  may 
juftly  appear  a  matter  of  .Tmazement,  that  their 
education  has  been  fo  much  and  fo  generally  ne- 
glected ;  that  no  nation,  ancient  or  modern,  has 
efteemtd  it  an  object  of  public  importance  ;  that 
no  Philofopher  or  Legiflator  has  interwoven  it 
with  his  fyrtem,  nor  any  writer  deemed  it  a  I'ub- 
jecV,  worthy  of  a  full  or  ferious  difcuflion. 

Many  fy items  of  inftruction  have  b^en  adopted 
for  the  other  fcx,  various  as  the  countries,  the 
government,  the  religion,  the  climate,  or  even 
as  the  caprices  of  tlie  writers,  who,  at  diflerent 
periods,  have  undertaken  to  compofe  them.  But, 
by  a  ftrange  fatality,  women  have  been  confi- 
derably  omitted  in  the  account,  as  if  they  were 
not  gifted  with  realbn  and  underftanding,  but 
were  only  to  be  valued  for  the  beauty  of  their 
perfons,  for  the  elegance  of  their  manners,  or 
the  fymmetry  of  their  forms. 

At  the  fame  time,  we  make  no  conceffions,  or 
abatement  in  our  expe6tations  from  them,  for  this 
contemptuous  neglecSl.  Forming  an  high  and  flat- 
tering eftimate  of  what  their  chzv7i^tcrJhou/d  be, 
we  extend  no  allowance  for  this  infuperable  dif- 
advantage.  We  expect  a  rich,  fponianeous  harveft 
to  fpring  from  an  untilled  foil;  and  whilll:  wc 
make  their  failings  inevitable  by  our  remiflnefs, 
we  fail  not  to  load  them  with  the  heavieft  cenfure, 
ridicule  and  contempt. 

Complaints  againfk  the  foibles  and  imprudence 
of  women  are  almoft  coxval  with  the  foundation 
of  the  world.  Whatever,  in  other  inltances,  may 
have  been  the  fcarcity  of  genius  and  talents,  yet 
their  imperfeiHiions  have  never  wanted  recorders. 
To  do  them  ample jujVice^  and  place  them  in  every 
varying  point  of  view  for  the  amufement  of  a 
bufy  and  ill-natured  curiollty,  for  the  gratification 


FEMALE       EDUCATION.  3 

of  a  dark  and  malignant  fpleen,  or  the  purpofe 
of  a  public  and  humiliating  corre£lion,  the  fhafts 
of  fatire,  the  flights  of  poetry,  the  lucubrations 
of  the  moralift,  and  even  the  more  dignified  la- 
bours of  the  Divine,  have,  in  turns,  been  cm- 
ployed.  Many*  famous  authors  of  Greece  and 
Rome,  of  modern  Europe,  and  of  our  own  coun- 
try, have  formed  an  ignominious  phalanx,  to 
wage,  in  inky  armoyr,  an  unequal  battle  againft 
this  very  tender  and  defencelefs  fex.  Even  the 
facred  books  of  revelation  have  been  called  in  to 
fandlion  thefe  malevolent  efiiifions  ;  and,  becaufe 
Solomon  declaimed,  at  an  early  period,  only 
againft  the  worft  and  moft  abandoned  of  the  fex, 
he  has  been  followed  by  a  number  of  fervile  imi- 
tators, of  all  ages  and  nations,  who,  indifcrimi- 
nately,  have  applied  the  dark  portrait  to  all.  I 
will  not  add  a  Chefterfield  to  the  group,  (wlioie 
Letters  to  his  fon,  from  beginning  to  end,  arc  one 
continued  libel  upon  v/omen,)  becaufe  I  wiih  the 
memory  of  his  imtnortal  graces^  and  his  refined 
diffimulation,  to  fleep  for  ever  with  him  in  his 
grave. 

Nor  is  this  fex  more  indebted,  in  general,  to 
thofe,  who  affume  the  appearance  of  friend iliip 
and  efteem.  Like  princes,  they  feldom  hear  the 
language  of  truth.  Many,  like  a  Judas,  betray 
them  with  a  kifs.  Their  charms  excite  a  fugitive 
paffion.  Paffion  vents  itfelf  in  profufe  adulation. 
And  that  flattery  has  frequently  little  more  in 
view,  than  a  momentary  pleafure,  v/hich  muft 
borrow  its  exiftence  from  their  mifery  and  ruin. 

*  Ariftotlc,  Euripides,  Thucydides,  Bocice,  an  Italian  Author, 
in  his  Laberynto  de  Tamor,  Pope,  Swift,  Congreve,  &c.  See  a 
tnoft  degrading  opinion  of  this  fex,  maintained  by  Almaricus,  a 
Doaor  at  Paris,  in  the  12th  century,  and  refuted  by  St.  AuRin,  Lib. 
17th.  De  Civ.  Dei. 

B2 


4  STRICTURES       ON 

To  enumerate  the  various  charges,  which  have 
been  adduced,  at  different  times,  againft  this  ami- 
able part  of  the  Creation,  would  be  a  very  diiHcult 
tnd  laborious  undertaking.  They  are  different  as 
the  conDplexions  or  purfuits  of  the  perfons  from 
whom  they  have  proceeded,  as  the  circumflances, 
whicli  have  chequered  their,  private  lives,  or  the 
feelings  which  thofe  circumftances  have  excited  in 
the  breaft. 

Somemenof  afaturnine  and  gloomycomplexion, 
h.ave  condemned  them  for  that  vivacity,  which 
coni'iitutes  the  firft  and  fweeteft  of  their  charms. 
They  might  as  well  be  angry  that  the  fky  is  not 
?.U  over  fable,  without  a  ftreak  of  white  or  blue  - 
to  enliven  the  horizon  •,  whilft  others  have  reta- 
liated on  the  fex  at  large,  the  injuries  and  offen- 
ces they  have  received  from  a  few. 

The' Philofopher  complains  of  their  levity  and 
ri.idinefs.  The  man  of  fentiment  inveighs  againll 
liie  frivoloufnefs  of  their  tafte,  and  the  frothineis. 
of  their  converfaiion.  Ke,  who  courts  their  fo- 
ciety  from  motives  of  fafhion,  and  makes  it  a 
ivftem  to  fay  every  thing  but  truth,  pronounces 
them  greedy  of  flattery  in  the  extreme,  and  ca- 
pable of  Avallowing  tliat  undeferved  praife,  which 
js  the  fevcreft  fatirc  in  difguife.  The  fcholar  is 
difgufted  with  their  ignorance  and  infipidity  ;  the 
lover  with  their  coquetry,  caprices  and  incon- 
Jlancy  in  the  tender  conn.eclion.  And  he,  who 
feeks  them  with  the  moH:  honourable  view?,  for 
the  companions  of  his  life,  is  terrified  with  the 
profpe^l  of  that  fondnefs  for  gaiety,  which  would 
I'acrifice  every  emotion  of  tlie  heart  to  fplendour 
and  parade,  and,  inftead  of  making  his  retirement 
a  Paradife,  threatens  to  convert  it  into  a  dreary 
v/ildernefs  of  vexation  and  remorfe.  From  all 
quarters  have  they  been  attacked  ;  and,  whilft 
their  form  is  confcffed  to  be  enchanting,  they  are 


FEMALE       EDUCATION.  5 

treated,  by  the  bulk  of  men,  as  fit  for  little  elfe 
but  fome  domeftic  drudgeries,  or  fome  indelicate 
enjoyments. 

How  far  thefe  heavy  charges  are  founded  in 
truth,  it  would  appear  invidious,  and  it  is  not,  by 
any  means,  neceflary  to  determine.  Suffice  it  to 
remark  in  favour  of  this  iijjured  and  perfecuted 
fex,  that  the  Judge  would  be  efleemed  a  monfter 
of  cruelty,  who  firft  induced  a  pcrfon  to  be  a  cul- 
prit, and  afterwards  condemned. 

It  is  an  eftabliflied  and  univerfally  received 
maxim,  that  the  future  fentimcnts  and  actions  and 
characters  of  men  are  conllderably  influenced  by 
their  earliell:  education  •,  and,  if  we  conlider  the 
fuperior  fufceptibility  of  women,  and  that  exqui- 
fite  fenfibility,  which  fo  wonderfully  difpofe  them 
to  receive  all  impreffions — and,  in  fac^,  hive  made 
fo  many  of  that  fex,  in  difitrent  periods,  and  in 
various  ciicumfrances,  martyrs  to  love,  to  friend- 
fliip  and  devotion,  it  is  reafonable  to  conclude, 
that,  if  they  are  defecSlive  in  any  rational  attain- 
ments, it  is  for  want  of  a  judicigus  and  timely  cul- 
tivation. If  afoul,  fo  lodged,  was  not  neglecfted,  it 
would  not  be  without  its  neceflary  excellencies.  If 
a  mine  fo  rich,  was  worked  witii  ikill  and  induftry, 
it  would  reward  its  owner  v.itii  as  great  quantity 
of  folid  gold  and  trinfure,  as,  now,  it  only  mocks 
l\im  with  a  light  and  fupcrficia]  tinfel,  that  glitters 
on  the  eye.  To  cenfure  them  before  we  have 
made  this  experiment,  is  ungenerous  anticipation. 
It  is  expecting  to  reap,  where  we  have  not  fowed, 
and  gather,  where  we  have  not  ftrewed. 

Whether  we  look  into  forcjg!i  countries,  or  our 
own,  and  v/hether  into  the  ancient  or  modern 
iiiilorics  of  both,  it  will  plainly  appear  that  the 
inftiu«ftion  of  women  ha;^.  eng'.olTed  but  a  little 
Ihare  of  the  public  atvention  ;  and,  to  a  fp'.x'uU- 

K3 


(t  STRICTURES       ON 

tive  mind,  it  may  afFord  a  moment^s  curious  cn^ 
icrtainmcnr,  if  I  endeavour  to  inveftigate  the 
cnufe  of  this  phenomenon,  why  mankind  have 
fo  uniformly  neglected  the  heart  and  underftand- 
ing  of  a  creature,  whofe  pcrfon  has  called  forth 
tl^.eir  warmcfl:  pancrr^yrics,  and  whofe  Hn-ine  they 
liave  approached  with  tlic  richell  inccnfe  of  ido- 
latry and  adulation. 

The  liappy  age  of  our  firft  parents  in  Eden  is  no 
objeft  of  this  contemplation.  A  flate  of  intimate 
communion  with  God  fiippofcs  erery  poHible  de- 
force of  intellectual  information.  Tiie  knowledge 
of  both  fcxes  iflued  immediately  from  the  fountain 
of  light,  and,  if  it  was  not  communicated  ia 
equal  rays  to  both,  our  firft  father  would  be  im- 
pelled by  the  combined  workings  of  duty  and  af- 
fection, to  make  up,  in  the  moft  infinualing  man- 
Mcr,  the  difference  to  a  woman,  whom  heaven 
■rad  fo  lately  given  "  as  its  luO,  bed  gift ;"  whom 
he  had  led  ^*  fo  fweetly  blufl)ing  to  the  nupti;d 
bower  j"  whom  folitary  haunts  and  familiar  con- 
vcrfations  muft  have  rivettcd  fo  veiy  clofely  to 
his  heart  ;  whofe  unftudied  innocence,  and  un- 
artificial  charms  mufl:  have  poured  a  delicious  rap- 
ture through  his  foul  ;  who  combined  in  her  own 
]:eFron  all  the  tendereft  relationfliips,  and  mono- 
pojifed  all  the  loveliefl  names  and  attachments, 
■jind  without  vi^hofc  focicty,  all  tiie  fi  agrant  Ihrubs,, 
:-.nd  fruits,  and  bloffoms  of  his  Paradife  would 
l)nve  been  but  2?iftpid  and  unanimated  blcfiings. 

JSo  foon  as  we  lofe  fight  of  Paradife  (and  alas  ! 
the  golden  profpecl  foon  fades  upon  the  eye,)  we 
trace  the  dawnings  of  a  fliamefnl  negligence  to 
women.  V/e  difcover  the  baneful  operation  of  a 
fvUem,  which,  infenfible  to  th.eir  chaims,  and 
unmindful  of  the  blcffings  v/hich  they  pour  upon 
jbciety,  has  bound  them  in  the  fetters  of  an  illi- 
beral opprcffion.     The.  earliefi  ages  of  the  wciicL 


F   E    M  A  L    n        EDUCATION.  J 

are  disfigured  with  a  degrading  treatment  of  thi^ 
fcx — which,  notwithfTanding  all  the  allowance  to 
be  made  for  difference  of  manners,  and  primitive 
fimplicity,  neceffarily  involves  but  little  moral  cul- 
ture, and  lefs  rational  inftrucHiion.  The  facred 
writings  exhibit  women,  engaged  in  the  moft  la- 
borious and  fervile  employments,  tending  flocks, 
carrying  water,  and  performing  many  other  do- 
meOic  drudgeries,  winch,  whilH:  they  ftrike  us  as 
unfuited  to  the  dignity  of  their  chnradler,  or  the 
delicacy  of  their  frame,  evidently  beipeak-the  very 
low  eftimation  in  which  they  were  held. 

The  truth  is,  (and  it  is  a  iiril  principle,  to  which 
we  muil:  often  have  recourfe  in  the  progrefs  of  this 
enquiry,)  a  confiderablc  civilization  muft  have 
taken  place  in  any  age  or  country,  before  the 
manners  of  women  will  be  fufficiently  captivating 
to  raife  our  admiration,  or  before  we  ourfelves 
£hall  have  any  fufceptibility  of  their  many  little, 
namelcfs  and  delicate  attractions.  In  the  begin- 
nings of  fociety,  fuch  a  politenefs  muft  be  utterly 
unknown.  It  fprings  from  a  conftant  colliflon 
with  *  mankind  ;  from  that  unrelirained  inter- 
courfe  with  other  people  and  countries,  which  only 
an  extended  commerce  is  obferved  to  open  in  any 
part  of  the  world  ;  and  from  the  liberal  cultivation 
of  thole  arts  and  fciences,  which,  if  they  are  not 
always  nurfed  in  the  bolbm  of  luxury,  at  leaft  fup- 
pofe  a  period  of  accumulated  Vvealth.  On  tliis 
morning  of  the  world  inch  an  rerahad  not  dawned, 
'i'he  pad'jral  life  and  agricuhure,  as  they  fupplietl 

*  A  degree  of  ferocity  muft  aUvavs  atienti  f.liofc.  who  have  not 
fuch  an  inlercourre.  Sec  Strab.  fp<;ik.ing  of  thcS-paiiifh  nations,  Lib. 
13.  The  fame  is  faid  of  the  prople,  who  inhabucd  the  rnaritinic 
l-Mfis  of  India.     Qriint.  Curt.  Lib   9.  C.  10. 

jVnntcfq.  KIpiu  fles  Loix.  Liv.  21.   C.  2. 

/.mongit  the  Greeks  and  Romans,  the  words,  which  denote  good, 
brfccllncr,  wf  re  taken  from  tlic  idra  (;t'  living  in  cities,  and  haviog  a 
«orjfidcr;.blc  intcrcourfe  with  mankind. 


8  STRICTURES       ON 

the  wants,  occupied  the  hours,  and  bounded,  like- 
wiJ'e,  the  wilhes  of  thcfe  primitive  and  undefign- 
ing  men.  Satisfied  with  a  plain  and  frugal  repaid, 
they  fighed  not  for  riches,  and  never  fo  much  as 
dreamed  of  a  commerce,  which,  in  maturer  pro- 
greflions  of  fociety,  fliouhl  fpend  its  days  and 
nights  and/iw/ to  accumulate,  if  poflible,  upon  a 
fingle  point,  the  treafurcs  of  the  world.  Ambi- 
tion was,  as  yet,  aflecp,  nor  had  Imagination 
opened  to  their  dazzled  view,  itsboundlefs  regioiiii 
of  artificial  pleafures,  or  artificial  pains.  Science 
was  uncultivated,  and  tafie  was  unborn  ;  the  man- 
ners of  the  men  were  proportionably  coarfc,  and 
the  women  were  unrefined.  It  was  happy,  in- 
deed, for  the  latter,  that  they  were  fo.  If  they 
had  been  otherwife,  their  fenfibility  muft  have 
fhuddered  at  the  lownefs  of  their  fervitude,  and 
the  rigours  of  fubjecSlion. 

Amongft  the  jiEgyptians,  who  were  celebrated 
for  their  learning,  aftronomy,  and  Magi,  women 
met  with  fome  partial  and  fome  diftinguilhing 
marks  of  attention.  They  were  admitted  to  the 
public  lejftures  in  philofophy  ;  the  laurel  of  fci- 
ence  was  not  fuppofed  improper  for  their  brow  j 
and,  by  atafte,  unparalleled  and  unheard  of  in  any 
other  country,  they  were  intruded  *  with  the  ma- 
nagement of  political  negociations,  of  commercial 
interefts,  and  other  public  undertakings.  But  this 
was  erring  in  another,  ridiculous  extreme.  It  was 
attempting  to  make  them  move  in  a  fphere,  for 
which  Nature  never  gave  them  talents,  nor  Pro- 
vidence defign  them.  This  people  had  not  difco- 
vered,  from  a  rightly  cultivated  tafte,  the  true 
and  ftriking  point  of  female  pcrfedion.    The  fort 

*  Herod.  Eut.  Lib.  2. 

Di'jdorus  Sic.  L;b   2.  §  2. 

Stuart's  View  of  Soc.  ia  Europe,  p.  177. 

Ahb-I  Millol'«  Elcm.  fur  rhilloire,  vol.  1. 


FEMALE       EDUCATION.  9 

of  knowledge,  which  thefe  fages  communicated, 
unmade  the  woman.  *  It  raifed  her  iinderftanding 
on  the  ruin  of  her  graces.  An  ^Egyptian  lady 
does  not  captivate  us  in  recolle<n:ion,  however,  in 
fuch  darker  ages,  flie  might  fhine.  Such  Hero- 
ines may  dazzle  in  the  page  of  hiftory,  but  they 
are  not  the  females,  who,  in  the  ftiller  walks  of 
life,  attract  us  by  their  foftnefs,  and  inchant  us 
by  their  cafe. 

In  tlie  hidory  of  the  liabylonians  and  Aflyrianf, 
we  meet  \vit!i  little  but  conjectural  hints  to  direct 
our  inquiry  concerning  the  treatment  or  education 
of  women.  The  ingenuity  of  the  former  appears 
in  the  working  f  of  thofc  carpets,  hangings,  cm- 
broidery,  &c.  which  might  agreeably  amufe  the 
folitary,   whilft  it   relieved  the  melancholy  hour. 

Such  a  trait  in  the  portrait,  likewife,  may  con- 
vince us,  that  riches  and  luxury  had  made  confi- 
derable  advances  in  this  kingdom,  and  that  minds, 
at  reft  from  procuring  the  tiecejfuries^  could  exliauft 
their  moft  ingenious  eQbrts  on  the  elepnncies  of 
life.  It  proves  nothing  of  any  moral  culture  di- 
rc6Vcd  to  their  hcait?,  or  any  efforts  made  to  ex- 
tend their underHanding.  Oneprobableconclufion, 
however,  it  involves,  that  in  the  bofom  of  luxury, 
we  muft  not  expert  unvitiated  women,  any  more 
than  to  difcover  firiTinefs  of  nerves,  or  delicacy 
cf  features  in  the  torrid  zone.     If  this  preiump^ 

*  Ourm  pvc-cHcrc  pofrn,  rnulicr  galcata  pudfucm. 
Quae  lup.il  a  Itxii. 

Can  helmed  dames  liave  any  ftnfc  of  fliame, 
Who  ape  the  man,  and  their  own  Tqx  di-'claim  ? 

Oweni  elegant  and  fpiritcd  tranfl::tion 
of  JuvenaL  vol.  i.  p  116. 
+  Anci.  Univ.  Hifl. 

There  were  paid,  ;it  Rome,  for  a  fuit  of  Babylonian  hangings,  for 
s  dining-room,  fix  tlioufand  four  hundred  and  nffy-cioht  pounds,  fix 
fliiliinps  and  eight  pence  Plin.  Nat.  Hift.  Lib  8  C  4,8.  S' e  .^rr-. 
Upiv.  Ilia-  of  the  Babylonians. 


lO  STRICTURES       ON 

tive  reafoning  is  not  fatisfadlory,  their  *  fhocking 
and  indelicate  culiom  of  colledling  all  their  young, 
marriageable  women,  and  difpofing  of  their 
charms  and  perfons  by  auction,  whilil  it  brings  a 
blufh  on  every  modeft  cheek,  may  abundantly  con- 
vince us,  that  this  people  had  but  ilendcr  ideas  of 
female  importance,  of  any  moral  qualities  in  the 
frx^  or  any   mental  perfed\ions. 

TheMedes  and  Pi^riians  afford  us  no  foecimens 
of  any  great  partiality  exercifed  to  the  fair.  Still 
they  groan  under  the  rigour  of  the  times.  Still 
they  are  unmentioned,  and  ftiU  they  are  unknown ; 
or  if  any  of  them,  cafually,  pafs  in  review  before 
the  eye  of  the  inquifitive  reader,  it  is  only  to  fliock 
him  with  the  mention  of  a  body,  proftituted,  at 
the  call  of  a  capricious  tyrant,  to  a  beftial  degra- 
dation, or  a  mind  abandoned  to  the  grofTes  igno- 
rance,  neglect   and  diforder. 

The  luxury  of  the  AfTyrians  was  communicated 
tof  the  Medes  ;  that  of  theMedes  was  tranfmitted 
to  the  Perfians.  The  difTolutenefs  of  the  Perfian 
court  was,  proverhially-t  flagrant.  For  a  refinement 
of  fenfual  gratification,  kingdoms  were  ranfacked, 
ingenuity  was  tortured,  and  a  confiderable  rewardj 
offered  to  the  perfon,  who  fhould  extend  the  nar- 
row boundaries  of  appetite,  and  pofTefs  the  fingu- 
lar  ability  and  addrefs  of  inventing  a  new  pleafure. 
Even  the  hardy,  martial  fpirit  of  Alexander  caught 
the  lufcious  infection  ;  and  his  foMiers,  by  dif- 
folving,  for  a  very  little  while,  in  the  U  luxuries 

*  Kaim's  Sketch,  vol.  i.  p.  185.  Herod.  Clio.  Lib.  i.  p.  90. 
Abbe  Millol's  Eletn.  fur  I'Hidoire.  Alex,  ab  Alex.  Gen.  Dies,  Lib. 
t.  p.  187.  Eufeb.  Pracp.  Evaiig.  Lib.  4.  Div.  Aug.  dc  Civ.  Dei, 
Lib.  4.  C.  10.     Herod.  Lib.  1. 

+  In  forne  provinces  of  the  ancient  Mcdiau  empire,  it  was  cufto- 
mary  for  w/omen  to  entcrtaiaa  number  of  hufbands.     Strab.  Lib.  11. 

X  Quint.  Curt.  Abbe  Mill.  Elem.  fur.  rHillorie.  Xen  Cyrop. 
L.   1.     Strab.  Lib.  1 1. 

\  Quint.  Cur;.  MiU.  Elem.  &  Anc»  Univ.  Hift, 


FEMALE       EDUCATION.  II 

of  the  metropolis,  bad  nearly  loft  that  bravery 
and  vigour,  to  which  they  ov/ed  all  the  glories  of 
the  field. 

It  would  be  hoping,  therefore,  againft  all  hope, 
and  doing  violence  to  all  the   common   principles 
of  probability,  to  conclude  that   the  females  of 
fuch  a  country,  or  of  fuch  an  lera,  had  any  regu- 
lar inftru<Slion.      A  mad,  furious  favage,  boldly  in- 
tent on  conquering  the  whole  world,  impofing  his 
arbitrary  edicts  upon  all,    and   binding,  in   equal 
inglorious  fetters,  their  bodies  and  their  minds  j 
for  the  fake  of  an  harlot,  burning  a  magnificent 
city — and,  in  a  fit  of  drunkennefs,  murdering  his 
nearefi:  friend,  affords  but  {lender  hopes  of  fuch  a 
moral  policy,    or  virtuous  legiflation,    as  would 
confult  the  IcCs/peciouSy  though    more   important 
interefis  and  happinefs  of  woman  !    Univerfal  fa- 
vagenefs,  in  (liort,  and  a  i|  cies  of  brutality  dif- 
grace  thefe  darker  ages  of  the  world  ;    and    very 
little  mention  is  made  of  a  fex,  who  could  contri- 
bute nothing  to  the  trophies  of  a  Conqueror,  to 
the  extenfion  of  empire,  or  the  fplendours  of  a 
defpctic  throne.     Women,     in   fuch  a   mode  of 
calculation,  were,  comparatively,  cyphers;   and, 
when  they  had  produced  a  race  of  lavage  and  of 
healthy  warriors  for  the  flate^  were  fuppofed  to 
have  fulfilled  the  purpofes  of  their  exiitence,    it 
they  did  not  even  pofi^efs  one  fentiment  of  the 
heart,   or  one  illuminating  ray  of  underfi;anding. 

After  poring  fo  long  over  thefe  dark  ages,  I 
congratulate,  at  once,  myfelf  and  the  Reader  on 
arriving  at  a  period,  which  Hiftory  has  irradiated 
with  a  clearer  information.  I  mea.i  the  famous 
ages  of  Greece  and  Rome.  Here  we  may  expert 
the  condition  of  women  to  afllime  a  very  differ- 
ent, and  more  cheering  afpect.  Here  we  may  fup- 
pofe  their  captivity  will  ceafe,  and  their  trampled 
honour  and  dignity  revive.     But   this,  like  many 


12  STRICTURES       ON 

Other  illufive  hopes,  is  only  formed  to  be  difap- 
pointed.  It  is  one  of  thofe  bright  mornings, 
which  is  quickly  overcaft  with  darknefs  and  with 
clouds. 

It  is  certain  the  Greeks  were  the  verypatterns  of 
every  thing  that  could  be  charming  and  exquilite 
in  tafte.  It  breathed  in  their  llatues  ;  it  glowed 
in  their  paintings  ;  it  fafcinated  in  their  orators  ; 
it  warms  us  with  all  the  ardour  of  enthufiafm  in 
their  poets  j  and  their  writings  are  ftill  the  model 
cf  excellence  to  every  refined  and  cultivated  mind. 
To  tiiem  the  fine  arts,  in  gc^neral,  owe  an  cxquillte 
perfection,  which  all  fucceeding  ages  emulate  in 
vain.  Still  they  wanted  that  true  politenefs  and 
urbanity  of  manners,  which  extend  to  v/omen  all 
the  delicate  civilities,  and  all  the  flattering  at- 
tentions.* 

With  their  exquifite  fenfibility  to  every  other 
fort  of  b^^auty,  with  a  paflion  for  feeing  all  her 
lifelcfs  pi^rftctions,  glowing  on  the  canvafs,  they 
fufFered,  by  an  amazing  kind  of -indiffdrcnce,  the 
charms  of  livitig  woman  to  wither  in  neglcdl, 
**  and  wafte  their  fweetnefs  on  the  defart  air." 

The  truth  is,  eloquence  and  valour  were  the 
fole,  exclufive  ambition  of  the  times.  As  yet, 
women  had  not  emerged  from  a  low  and  inglorious 
condition  of  fervility.  it  was  a  Oill,  unexploded 
fyftem  to  Ihut  them  up  from  f  fociety,  and  the 
confequences  of  this  confinement  were  ftrongly 
difcernible  in  the  features  of  both  the  fexes.    The 

*  If  the  Greeks  had  not  been  remarkably  deficient  in  delicacy  and 
p;)!itcncl;>,  how  could  lli^y  have  relifhtd  tiie  luw  ribaldry  of  an 
.'\iirtophiirics,  at  a  tiir.e  wiicn  incy  were  entertained  with  the  fubliine 
floqutnceof  a  Deinofthdcs,  ajid  wiiii  the  pathetic  compofitions  of  a 
Sophocles,  and  an  Euripides  ? 

+  lloni.  Cdyl.  Lib.  4.  121,  122. 

Earip.  Hecub.  Sophoc.  Eietlra. 

Wood's  EUa^  on  ihc  writings  and  genius  of  Homer. 

Cic.  in  Vcr.  L>b.  i,  C.  26. 


FEMALE        EDUCATION.  I3 

men  were  rough  and  Infolent  *,  and  the  women, 
for  want  of  a  collifion,  with  their  natural  aflbci- 
ates,  had  not  every  poffible  elegance  to  charm. 
Thus  unbofomcd  in  lolitude,  the  manners  of  the 
Grecian  Ladies  might  be  pure,  but  they  were  not 
very  captivating  j  their  tade  might  be  innocent, 
but  it  was  not  improved.  Retirement  gave  them 
awkwardncfs  ;  and  awakwardnefs,  in  its  turn, 
denied  them  admiration. 

As  tall:e,  however,  gradually  advanced,  and 
knowledge  made  the  feelings  exquifitely  alive,  the 
Greeks  began  ardently  to  pant  for  an  intercourfe 
with  the  fex  :  and,  to  the  eternal  difgrace  of  their 
morality,  they  found.it  in  their  ro/^r/ffz.^wj".  They 
gave  to  vice,  the  difiincflions  of  virtue — and  af- 
forded, at  the  ignominious  Ihrinc  of  proftitutes, 
what  (hould  have  been  the  unvarying  rewards  of 
merit,   of  delicacy  and  difcretion. 

In  reality  it  was  not  fo  much  a  matter  of  wick- 
cdnefs,  as  of  tafie.  "Whilft  women  of  modelly 
were  deprived  of  all  advantages  for  improving 
themfelves,  thefe  courtezans,  by  mixing  in  public 
circles,  had  acquired  all  the  interelting  allurements 
and*  attractions.  Hence  the  unbounded  attentions 
they  received.  Hence  the  molt  learned  men  had 
interviews  at  their  houfes.  Hence  poets  of  the 
higheft  fame  paid  homage  to  their  charms  •,  and 
hence  the  moll  celebrated  painters  endeavoured 
to  immortalife,  with  a  licentious  pencil,  their  me- 
rit and  their  graces  !  So  true  is  it,  that  tafte  is 
not,   always,  a   concomitant  of  virtue,  and   that 

*  Socrates  and  Pericles  found  each  other  at  Afpafia's.  Six  or  fcvcn 
writers  devoted  their  pens  to  celebrate  thefe  counezans.  Thiee  fa- 
mous painters  employed  their  pencils  to  rcprefent  thtm  to  advantage 
on  the  canvas;  and,  when  they  died,  fumptuous  monuments  were 
crefted  to  their  memory, 

Dica:arch  Webb  on  Painting,  p.  41.  Edaii  fur.  L.s  caraftcrcs 
dc«  lem.     Men.  Thorn. 

c 


14  STRICTURES       ON 

over  a  people,  in  certain  periods  of  fociety,  lan- 
guifhing  with  I'enfibility,  and  infcebled  in  their  mo- 
rals, the  brilliant  accomplilliments  will  have  a 
greater  influence,  than  all  the  virtues  and  good 
qualities  united.  Amongfl:  fucli  a  people,  what 
was  female  education  ?  Whilftmodefty  was  thus 
openly  violated  and  {hocked,  where  was  moral 
difcipline,  culture   and  improvement? 

The  behaviour  of  the  R.omans  to  their  women 
afTumes  a  different  afpect,  according  to  the  vary- 
ing ftate  of  their  tafte,  from  the  revolutions  of 
their  empire,  the  extenfion  of  their  conquefls, 
from  their  intercourfe  with  other  nations,  and  the 
progrefllve  culture  of  knowledge,  politenefs,  and 
refinement. 

At  firft,  an  hardy,  warlike,  and  heterogeneous 
race  of  men,  collected  from  the  banditti  of  all 
places  and  countries,  lired  only  with  the  pafllon 
of  military  glory,  frugal  in  their  tafte,  and  rigid 
in  their  morals,  they  expected,  and  they  experi- 
enced a  *  ftrong  limilarity  of  rigid  qualities  in 
their  women,  a  faithful  attention  to  domeftic  du- 
ties, an  inviolable  conftancy,  and  a  fubmiflive,  un- 
remitting attention.  But  their  conduct  to  the  fex 
was  that  of  Defpots  to  their  flaves,  unmixed  with 
efteem,  and  unfoftened  with  afFeiSlion.  They  ne- 
ver thought  of  treating  wives,  as  their  equals, 
with  the  luxury  of  confidence,  or  the  reciprocality 
of  tender  f  and  endearing  converfation.     If  their 

*  DlaL  de  caufis  quae  Rom.  corrumpebant  eloquentiam.  Val.Max. 
Lib.  2.  S.  1. 

Blackwcli's  Memoirs  of  the  court  of  Auguflus,  Vol.  i.  Liv.  Lib. 
a6,  C.  49,  Alex,  ab  Alex.  Vol.  t.  p  671.  C.  11.  Aulus  Gell.  Noc 
>tti.  Lib.  10.  C.  23.  ^liaii.  Van  Hilt.  Lib.  2.  Plut.  Vit.  Anton. 
Kenncti's  An:q.     E(Tay  on  the  Roman  Education. 

+  Amongft  the  Romans,  a  wife  was  confidered,  as,  in  every  rc- 
fpcft,  the  fldve  of  her  hufband.  She  might  be  fold  by  him  at  plca- 
fure,  or  put  to  death  by  an  arbitrary  exertion  of  his  authority.  It 
fccms  probable  from  the  ceremony  of  '*  coemptio,"  that  fhe  wa« 
purchased  with  a  real  price  from  her  relations.    She  was  reckoned 


FEMALE       EDUCATION.  I5 

women  had  but  plain  and  homely  virtue,  it  was  all 
they  delired.  They  left  it  to  others,  whofe  minds 
grafped  at  lefs  than  the  conqueft  of  the  globe,  to 
engage  in  fo  very  effeminate  an  office,  as  that  of 
nurfing  the  embryo  graces  of  their  heart,  or  call- 
ing forth,  by  adequate  encouragements,  the  na- 
tive and  unfufpeBed  vigour  of  their  underftanding. 
Valour  and  a  thirft  for  military  glory,  confiderably 
fwallowed  up  all  the  tender  emotions  -,  and,  whilft 
to  die  for  their  country  was  the  height  of  their 
ambition,  they  left  it  to  the  ^lixotifm  of  other 
times  to  expire  for  a  woman.  The  heroifm  of  thofe 
early  ages  *  had  not  that  agreeable  accommodation 
in  its  manners,  that  gentlenefs  in  its  nature,  or 
humanity  in  its  exercife,  which  later  times  have 
produced.  Warriors  had  not  tempered  intrepidity 
with  foftnefs,  nor  courage  with  fenfibility.  They 
had  not  foftened  the  forbidding  portrait  of  the 
foldier  with  the  milder  graces  of  the  citizen,  the 
philofopher,  or  the  friend.     A  fuccefsful  hero  did 

incapable  of  having  any  eftate  of  her  own  ;  and,  whatever,  fhe  pof- 
fclTed,  at  the  time  of  marriage,  became  the  property  of  her  hufband. 

Heinec.  Antiq.  Rom. 

•  How  favage  were  the  manners  of  warriors  to  each  other  in  the 
lime  of  Homer.  II.  Lib.  8.  V.  161.  Lib.  12,  247,  Lib.  23,  473. 
Lib.  9.  590.  Lib  22.  60.  Lib.  6.  55.  Lib.  17.  125.  Lib.  22,  375. 
Menand.  apud  Stobaeum. 

Traits,  of  a  fimilar  nature,  are  dlfcoverable  in  many  of  theRomaa 
heroes.  They  frequently  took  great  fteps  towards  the  extermination 
of  the  people  they  had  conquered.  Witnefs  their  behaviour  to  Car- 
thage, Numantia,  Corinth,  &c.  though  fomc  writers  have  celebrated 
their  lenity  to  the  vanquifhed,  Dion.  Halic.  Lib.  \.  Cic.  de  Off. 
Lib.  I.   Poly.  L.  10. 

An  ancient  writer  mentions  it  as  a  cuftom  of  the  Scythians  to  fuck 
the  blood  of  their  enemies  killed  ia  battle.  Pomp.  Mel.  Lib,  2  C.  i. 
Such  was  the  manners  of  the  Saracens,  and  the  American  Indians 
Carv.  Travels. 

The  ancient  Scythians  deftroyed  the  nations  they  had  conquered. 
Herod.  Melpom.  When  the  Sauromatas  invaded  Scythia,  they  laid 
wafte  the  whole  country,  and  put  to  death  the  vanquilhed.  Diod. 
Sic.  Lib.  2.  For  the  cruelty  of  the  Vandals,  in  this  particular,  fee 
Note  V.  to  Robertfon's  Hift.  of  Charles  the  5th. 

Cz 


l6  STRICTURES       ON 

not,  then^  invite  a  general  he  had  vanqnifhed,  to 
partake  of  the  focial,  elegant  rcpaft,  prepared  by 
j'olitcncfs,  ?iVi^f'weetensd  \s\\\\  a  noble  and  generous 
Cv)m  all  Aeration.  Such  a  combination  of,  Icem- 
ingly,  oppolite  qualities,  fuch  a  fcftening  of  the 
n.itural  horrors  of  war,  we  certainly  owe  to  the 
luperior  progrefs  of  modern  civilization.  It  was 
?:i  honour  referved  for  tiie  Conquerors  of  tliL^  pre- 
fjnt  age,  and  will  laft,  when  the  greened:  of  tl^ir 
1  lurels  has  decayed. 

Occaftjual  mention,  indeed,  is  made  of  Hvaie  il- 
laftrious  Roman  *  ladies,  who,  by  ftooping  from 
their  dignity,  to  the  painful  and  arduous  cR-icc 
of  forming  youthful  minds,  did  honour  to  huma- 
nity and  to  their  fex.  But  this  attention  was, 
chiefly,  laviflied  on  the  boys.  It  had  only  in  con- 
templation the  training  up  of  orators  or  heroes 
for  the  ftate.  Girls  are  not  fo  much  as  mentioned 
i.i  the  account.  They  were  filently  abandoned  to 
that  untutored  ignorance,  in  which  Nature  li^d 
jM'oduced  them.  Amongft  this  celebrated  p.^oplc, 
women  were  always  thrown  info  the  back  ground 
cf  the  piece.  The  picture,  at  large,  was  grouped 
with  the  laurels,  and  emblazoned  with  the  trophies 
and  atchievments  of  the  men. 

-|-  As  we  approach  further  intoR-oman  civiliza- 
tion, a  new  page  opens  on  us  in  the  hiftory  of 
women.  A  revolution,  fimilar  to  that  of  all  other 
countries,  in  certain  ftages  of  fociety,  took  place 
in  the  treatment  and  manners  of  the  lex.  Dragged 
from  a  long  and  inglorious  confinement,  their  pa- 
tronage was  courted,  and  their  charms  were  ad- 
mired. In  a  ftate  of  roufed  paffion,  and  inflamed 
imagination,    as  objecSts   of  plenfarey    they  had   a 

•*  Sic,  Corrr-liam,  Gracchorum.  fic  Aurcliam,  Julii  Carraiis,  fic 
Attiatn,  Auguiii  matrem.  piasiuide  educationibus  hberorum  accepi- 
mus.     Elcnant  Dialogue  on  the  Decline  of  Eloquence. 

+  Cic.  Tufc.  QjSEll.  Lib   5.  85. 


FEMALE       EDUCATION.  I7 

temporary  confequence.  Afiatic  luxury,  imported 
to  the  capital,  viewed  them  as  a  part  of  fenfual 
refinement;  and,  having  exhaufted  all  the  other 
varied  regions  of  fenfuality  for  its  gratification, 
wilhed  at  laft  to  revel  in  their  arms.  But  the  fex 
are  not  indebted,  to  any  age  or  country,  for  this 
kind  of  valuation.  It  infults  their  delicacy  ;  it 
degrades  their  underftanding,  and  has  a  moft  un- 
happy influence  on  their  fortunes  and  their  tafte. 

*  The  manners  of  the  Roman  fair  quickly  took 
the  infection  of  the  times.  In  the  hot-bed  of  lux- 
ury, all  their  virtues  and  their  graces  relaxed. 
Their  modelty  declined,  their  chartity  became  lefs 
tremblingly  alive  to  the  unhallowed  touch  ;  and, 
by  degrees,  their  delicacy  loft  its  native  fairnefs, 
till,  at  length,  it  was  tinged  with  the  darkeft 
fhades  of  indecency  and  vice.  Never  was  the  fe- 
male character  f  more  proflituted  than  at  Rome. 
A  reader,  who  enters  on  their  hiflory  with  admi- 
ration, is  obliged  to  clofe  it  with  amazement  and 
regret. 

Knowledge,  which  is,  generally^  feen  in  thofe 
epochs  of  fociety,  wl^en  luxury  has  made  con- 
fiderable  advances,  difpenfed,  indeed,  fome  of  its 
favours  on  the  fex.  The  Romans  enumerate  fe- 
veral  illuftrious  women,  whom  fcience  crowning 
with  its  grecnelt  laurels,  has  preferved  from  that 
oblivion,  which  is,  too  generally,  the  portion  of 
the  fair.  But  they  are  mentioned,  only  to  be  dif- 
approved  by  every  perfon  of  fentiment  and  tafte. 
Their  attainments  were  of  an  enormous  and  im- 
proper kind  ;  a  dropfy  in  the  underftanding.    Be- 

*  Alex,  ab  Alcxan,     Surton,  paiTim. 

Viri  pau  mulicbiia,  mulicrcs  pudicitiuin  in  propa'.ulo  habere.  Sail. 
X  iv.  Lib.  39. 

t  Jiiv.  Sat.  6.  The  female  Reader  will  be  higlily  gratified  by  pe- 
rnfing  Owen's  maftcily  trandation  of  this  fatire,  and  by  the  general 
apologies  in  favour  ol  women,   with  which  it  is  picfaced. 

C3 


l8  STRICTURES       ON 

iides  the  reign  of  their  talents  was  but  fliort.  It 
preceded  but  a  little  while,  the  extirpation  of  their 
Empire.  Tiie  taper  juft  (hot  forth  an  extraordi- 
nary blaze,  before  it  was  about  to  be  extinguilhed 
for  ever. 

Where,  in  Ihort,  fliall  wc  turn,  or  whither 
change  the  fcene,  to  fee  women  with  no  marks  of 
degradation  upon  them,  treated  with  rcfpetfl,  and 
educated,  as  rational  and  intelligent  creatures  ? 
The  greateft  lawgivers  and  the  brighte/1:  geniufes, 
that  ever  figured  in  antiquity,  *  Confacius,  Zo- 
roafter,  Solon,  and  Lycurgus,  famed  through  the 
world  for  their  extenlive  talent^,  and  wife  Icrgifla- 
tion,  have  fcarcely  made  one  (isigl-e  decree  in  fa- 
vour of  this  fex,  excepting  with  fomc  view,  re- 
mote or  immediate,  to  politic  advantage.  In  the 
profecution  of  their  favourite  fchemes  of  policy 
and  of  national  greatnefs,  they  have  conlidered 
them  but  as  mere,  pqfflve  inftruments  of  an  exten- 
five  population.  Some  of  thefe  Sages  have  done 
violence  to  their  delicacy,  by  the  moft  immoral 
and  arbitrary  regulation.  Their  chaftity  has  been 
violated  ;  their  modedy  has  been  Iliocked,  and 
the  file  red  tie  of  maj'riage  modified  and  changed, 
as  the  ever  fluctuating  interelfs  of  fociery  have 
feemevl  to  require  ;  and,  with  bodies  to  anfwer  all 
poliiical  purpofes,  very  little  thought  has  been 
lavilhcd  on  their  minds. 

f  Though,  in  the  ages  of  Chivalry,  women  receiv- 
ed a  kind  of  adoration,  and  numbered  in  their  fer- 

*  LTfprit  dcs  Loix.  Arlftot.  de  Ren.  Lib  7  C.  16.  Lending  a 
wife  to  at:iciid,  was  recommended  to  the  Spartans  by  the  cefpbiarrd 
InlU:uti  »ns  of  Lycurgus.  Luc.  PliaiTal.  Mitl  Hill,  of  Greece,  VoL 
1.  p.  192.  Piut.  in  Vit.  Lycurg.  Solon  made  fomc  trifling  rcgi!Rations 
in  lavojrof  the  fcx  ;  but  ihcy  had  more"  an  c\i  to  pjhiicai  u  ilicv, 
than  to  ihjii  Ov\n  pcifonal  honour  or  advantige.  PoU,  Gictk 
Antiq. 

+  Stuart's  View  of  S  )C.  in  Europe.  Ahhc  Millot's  \l\^.  Li'.rairc 
dcs  Tioubadours. 

Hurd's  Letters  on  Chivalry  and  Rorninc?,  Lctler  3. 


FEMALE       EDUCATION.  Ip 

vice,  luch  a  pompons  crowd  of  heroes,  warriors 
anil  knights,  yet  this  appears  not  to  have  pro- 
ceeded fioni  that  heart-feh  efteem,  which  is  con- 
ferred on  intrinlic  merit,  or  an  elevated  under-' 
(ianding.  In  fniSt,  they  were  diftinguiflied  merely 
for  their  fex.  Ik'caufe  it  was  the  fajlnon^  they 
were  courted  as  obje6ls  of  a  romantic  protection, 
and  as  inftruments  of  a  ridiculous,  and  viiionary 
honour.  And,  though,  when  this  rage  expired, 
their  abilities  were  carried  to  an  extraordinary 
height,  under  the  powerful  workings  of  an  un- 
natural enthufiaim,  they  were  but  difgufting  mo- 
numents of  talents  mifapplied^  and  of  tafte  mifdi- 
rilled.  A  *  woman,  ifluing  out  laws,  difputing  in 
philofophy,  haranguing  the  Pope  in  Latin,  wri- 
ting Greek,  ftudying  Hebrew,  commencing  The- 
ologian, and  preaching  in  ppblic,  may  be  a  literary 
heraincy  that  challenge  our  wonder,  but  has  no- 
thing of  that  ibftnefs,  timidity  and  referve,  which, 
in  that  lex,  fo  powerfully  captivate  our  hearts,  and 
inchant  our  imaginations. 

f  To  this  fpirit  of  chivalry,  however,  the  wo- 
men owe  an  ^/^r/w/ obligation.  It  was  this  which 
called  them  forth  from  confinement  and  obfcurity 
into  public  attention.  It  was  this,  which  has 
given  birth  to  that  fpecies  of  gallantry,  which, 
moulded  as  it  has  been  by  increallng  knowledge. 
Ail!,  in  a  greater  or  a  Icfs  degree,  pervades  every 
part  of  the  continent  ot  Europe.  It  is  this,  which, 
by  giving  them  a    colli  lion  with  fociety,  has  won- 

*  V VT^  p'lhaps.  u'^re  ihere  ffcn,  at  any  one  time,  To  ni.iny 
P'inccflcsj^ji^  improvrd  underftandin^,  as  were  ihen,  in  that  oart  of 
tiirt>pe.  ,  Tltc  Courts  of  Naples,  oi  Milan,  of  Mantua,  of  Parma, 
of  Fiorence".  &c.  fonnrd  io  many  fchooh  of  tafte,  in  which  tncre 
v\as  an  emufa:i<in  of  talents  srd  nf  ^lory.  F.iT.  on  the  Char,  of  Wo- 
men. tranfUtfd  by  Mis   Kindciflcv,  from  ihc  Ficnch. 

+  K'  bent.  Hilt,  ot  Charles  the5ih,  Vol,  \.  p.  69.  Memoircs  fur 
l'Anci)i(nnc  (htvakiie,  par  M.  de  la  Cuine,  Mill.  DHt».  ot  Rjtims 
in  Soc.   p.  54. 


20  STRICTURES      ON 

derfully  heightened  all  their  graces,  and  their 
charms ;  which  has  appropriated  to  them  no  in- 
confiderable  rank  in  civilized  fociety,  and  made 
the  ftrength  and  confequcncc  of  the  other  fex, 
ftijljionabiyy  fubfervicnt  to  their  eafe  and  their  pro- 
teiftion.  Highly  as  we  think  of  our  gallantry  and 
politenefs,  they  have  iflued  from  this  northern 
fource.  From  Barbarians  we  have  learned  com- 
plaifatice  to  the  fex,  if  not  to  inftrucl  them. 

Whilft  the  Inftitution  of  Chivalry  rendered  wo- 
men of  fuch  unufual  confequence,  and  celebrated 
all  their  charms  with  eulogies  in  Europe^  a  Law- 
giver and  a  Religion  had  fprung  up  in  Afia,  which 
rigidly  doomed  them  to  an  inglorious  confinement, 
as  mere  objects  of  a  fenfual  and  fugitive  delight. 
This  flavery  and  this  confinement,  time  has  not 
altered.  The  cufton->s  of  the*  Orientals  are,  in 
general,  as  unchangeable  as  the  rocks,  which  fur- 
round  them.  The  increafing  humanity  and  learn- 
ing of  the  times  have  not  yet  been  able  to  pene- 
trate  into  the  Eaft,  or  give  this  injured  fex  the 
fhadow  of  relief.  Iniiead  of  confulting  the  im- 
provement of  their  minds,  their  tyrants  and 
adorers  expCiH:  nothing  from  them,  but  to  give 
their  perfons  every  perfume,  and  every  lufcious 
advantage,  that  may  communicate  an  higher  zeft 
to  an  indelicate  moment,  and  heighten  the  luxury 
of  mere  animal  indulgence.  As  if  they  had  no  fouls, 
they  are  treated  but  as  brutes  of  a  fuperior  order. 
Even  their  very  virtue  is  rendered  involuntary; 
their  diftrefifes  are  unpitied,  and  their  fighs  are  un- 
heard. 

In  Africa,  or  the  wilds  of  America,  it  Js  vain 
to  expedl  a  better  fate,  or  a  more  refpeclful  atten- 
tion to  females.     Savages  of  all  countries,  indo- 

•  For  the  immutability  of  Eaftern  cudoms,  fee  Falc.  on  the  Inf. 
of  Clim.  L'Efprit  des  Loix.  Shaw's  Travels,  p.  227.  Mrs.  Kio- 
dcrflcy's  Letters  from  the  Eaft  Indies,  L.  72. 


FEMALE       EDUCATION.  21 

lent  and  cruel,  take  advantage  of  fuperior  * 
flrength  to  opprefs  the  weaker  iex,  and  bind  them 
in  the  fetters  of  flavery  and  fubordination.  In 
fcnne  of  thei'e  countries,  tlie  hardfliips  of  women 
arc  giievous  b.^yond  all  poflibk  deicriplion.  In 
one  pbce  t  treated  as  beafrs  of  burden,  carrying 
to  the  war  their  children,  hammocks  and  provi- 
iions  on  their  backs  ;  in  another,  though  nominally 
united  to  Sovereigns,  yet  performing  %  the  drudge- 
ries of  common  flaves  ;  in  a  third,  permitted  § 
to  appear,  only,  in  a  kneeling  pofture,  in  the  pre- 
ffrce  of  tlf^r  Lords:  in  a  fourth,  |j  hired  out  for 
tl'C  wage??  of  proiiitution -,  here,  fold  like-  cattle, 
to  the  **  higheft  bidders  in  a  public  market  ;  and 
there,  doomed,  when  natvne  has  pronounced 
them  incapable  of  bearing  children,  to  %  be  put 
to  death,  what  heart  of  tendcrnefs  relents  not  at 
their  lot  ?  what  mind  of  delicacy  does  not  fliudder 
at  the  profpecSi  ?  But,  dcflitute  of  knowhdge, 
and  devoid  of  ienfibility,  the  cruel  :J:J  favage  be- 
holds fuch  fufi'erings  with  a  ftupid  unconcern,  and 
would  load  a  fingle  murmur  of  an  opprefTcd  fex, 
with  a  redoubled  opprcflicn. 

Hitherto  I  have  placed  the  caufc  of  female  ne- 
glect in  the  want  of  a  proper  civilization  and  re- 
finement, and  confidered  it  as  refultir;g  from,  a 
particular  ftage  of  fociety  and  manners.  1  have 
been  reviewing  periods   and   nations,  in   which  a 

•    *  Robert  Hift.  of  Amer.  Vol.  i,  p.  319.     Mill.  Dif.  of  Rank?  iti 
Society,  p.  i8.     Ariftot    Pol.  Lib.  i.  C.  2. 
•     +  In  the  brazils. 

I  This    is    the    cafe    with     the   S'?vcreign    of    Giaga.       Kaim's 
Sketches. 

§  Annoiioft  fome  of  the  Xcgroe?,  in  the  coaft  of  Guinea,    Hifluire 
GciiCjale  df  s  Voyag      Tom    5.      Liv.  10.     Chap.  3. 

II  111  the  kinj^dom  of  Potany, 
**   i^monoii  the  Ciicaflians. 

f  This  was  the  cruelty  of  the  ancient  Chincfc  to  their  women. 
XX  Rot^ert.  Hill,  of  Amcr   Vol.  i,  Kaim'sSketch.  Vol.  1.  p.  187. 
Pampiei's  Voyages, 


I' 


22  STRICTURES       ON 

favage  barbarlfm,  or  an  ardent  thirft  of  extending 
dominion,  was  confidercd  as  the  elTence  of  wifdora 
and  of  glory.  I  have  been  (peculating,  at  leifure, 
on  the  conduct  of  men,  uninfluenced  by  religious 
fentiments,  and  unenlightened  by  the  gofpel.  If 
therefore  we  have  blamed  their  treatment  of  this 
fex,  their  criminality  is  confidcrably  alleviated  by 
their  ignorance,  and  thofe  very  phyfical  caufes, 
which  produced,  palliate  the  moral  guilt,  which 
would,  otherwife  attend  it.  We  pity  women ; 
and,  from  views  more  enlarged  than  their  defpots 
had,  we  even  pity  or  forgive  their  oppreflbrs.  If 
the  firft  were  degraded,  infulted  or  inflaved,  can- 
dour claims  in  favour  of  the  latter,  that  no  pro- 
per fenfe  of  duty  operated  on  their  confequence  ; 
that  revelation  had  not  dillipated  their  intelledlual 
darknefs,  or  pointed  out  the  awful  confequences 
of  actions  ;  and  that  they  did  not  know  the  rich- 
nefs  or  the  value  of  the  jewel  they  dcfpifed. 

But  when  we  come  to  countries  and  aeras,  when 
all  the  fecondary  caufes  of  advanced  knowledge, 
taftc,  civilization  combine  with  that,  which  fhould 
always  be  the  firfl:  (I  mean  religious  principle)  to 
give  women  every  poffible  advantage  of  moral  dif- 
cipline  and  cultivation;  when,  as  men  valuing 
themlclves  on  their  refinement,  we  fliould  deny 
no  attentions  to  this  weaker  fex,  and,  as  Chrifti- 
ans,  are  taught  that  they,  like  all  other  human 
creatures,  arc  of  infinite  confequence  in  the  fight 
of  Heaven  j  that  they  arc  gifted  with  the  treafure 
of  an  immortal  foul  ;  that  they  are  training  for 
eternal  happinefs  or  mifery ;  that  the  awful  alter- 
native will  very  much  depend  on  their  prefent  edu- 
cation -,  and  that  the  care  of  it,  therefore,  is  the 
higheCt  duty,  that  can  pofiibly  engage  the  parental 
folicitudc — with  thefe  phyjical  advantages — thefe 
fuggcftions  of  cofifcience — and  thefe  powerful  im- 
prefl^ions  of  religion  on   the   mind — what  can   be 


FEMALE       EDUCATION.  23 

faid,  if  any  negligence  xsjlill  obfervable  to  thofe, 
who,  at  the  fame  time,  are  confelTedly  the  faireft 
and  moft  elegant  part  of  the  creation ;  who  bear 
and  nurfe  our  offspring,  are  admitted  to  our  bo- 
foms,  alleviate  our  cares ;  who,  by  their  gentle- 
nefs,  compofe  the  agitations  of  our  minds,  and 
are  formed  to  contribute  to  all  the  delicate  plea- 
fures  and  tranfports  of  life  ?  What  pleas  can  we 
offer  to  extenuate  our  guilt  ?  What  evalions  can 
we  make  at  the  tribunal  of  reafon  or  of  Heaven  ? 
and  what  more  than  tven  favage  infenfibility  muft 
mark  our  characters  with  an  indelible  difgrace. 

The  condition  of  women  in  England,  no  doubt, 
may  juftly  be  pronounced  to  be  fupremely  happy, 
if  we  compare  it  with  what  that  of  many  females 
has  been  in  fome  of  the  ages,  that  have  jufl:  palTed 
in  review  before  us,  or  what  it  //,  at  prefenty  in 
mod:  countries  of  the  world.  They  have  certainly, 
in  their  allotment  here,  as  many  obvious  advan- 
tages, over  women  in  general^  as  Nature  has  given 
them  a  marked  fuperiority  of  perfonal  beauty, 
figure,  and  attracftions.  If  Europe  has  been  call- 
ed the  Paradifeo^  the  fex,  Britain  feems  to  be  the 
choiceft  rpot  of  this  Paradife,  in  which  the  fove- 
reign  Former  has  deigned  to  place  the  faireft  of 
the  fair,  and,  munificently,  to  diftil,  upon  their 
favoured  heads,  the  richeft  of  his  fvveets.  In  an 
happy,  and  enviable  temperature  of  climate,  in 
the  riches  of  commerce,  in  the  improvement  of 
the  arts,  in  the  bleflings  of  liberty,  and  of  a  re- 
ligion purified  from  bigotry  on  the  one  hand,  and 
fanaticnm  on  the  other,  they  are,  doubtlefs,  equal 
partakers  with  ourfelves.  Nor  in  the  prefent  fcale 
of  fociety,  do  Britifh  ladies  want  confiderable 
weight.  It  is  xhefajhion  of  the  times  to  pay  them 
attentions  ;  and  gallantry  in  planning  honours  for 
itfelf,  when  it  feems  only  ftudious  to  decorate  the 
brows,  and  to  enhance   the   confequence  of  wo- 


24  STRICTURES       ON 

men.  Incivility  to  a  female,  however  frivolouSy 
would,  in  modern  eitiin  ition,  redound  upon  its 
author,  how  ex  tv  dijlinguijljed ;  and  even  men  of 
rigid  principles  are  Ld,  almoft  tnechanically^  to 
heap  flattering  compliments  and  encomiums  upon 
women,  for  which  their  private  judgment  does 
not  always  find  a  claim  in  their  hearts  or  under- 
Handing.  Still  if  tliis  fex  could  difcriminate 
nicely,  and  would  diveft  themfelves  of  an  infatu- 
ating vanity,  perhaps  they  would  dii'cover,  that 
even  all  this  amounts  not  to  a  rutional  ov  aw  adequate 
attention. 

Is  it  not  a  flrong  impulfe  of  pafllon,  that  fug- 
gefls  fuch  imooth  things  i  Is  it  not  a  fcliifti  vanity, 
that  would  be  called  polite,  and  fland  well  with 
the  fex  .'^  Is  it  not  a  ftudious  accommodation- of 
ourfelves  to  (what  we  conceive,)  their  very  fri- 
volous lentiuients  and  talle  }  Is  it  not  a  policy, 
which  ihi-iiiks  from  their  cenfure,  and  would  not 
wholly  laciitice  their  applaufe  and  admiration  ^  Is 
it  not  the  mechanical  influence  of  manners,  unac- 
companied with  any  correfpondent  conviction,  or 
is  it  not  a  motley  figure,  compofed  of  all  thefe 
diiFerent  materials,  which  we  offer  at  their  ihrine, 
without  any  very  high  opinion  of  the  fex,  or  any 
proper  eltimation  ? 

If  the  Ladies  knew  what  unreferved  obferva- 
tions  we  make  upon  them,  in  their  abfence,  and 
what  degrading  liberties  are  taken  with  thei^'  cha- 
racters, particularly  by  thofe,  who  oft^er  *them, 
when  prefent,  the  moll  fuliome  adulation,  ^ey 
would  know,  that  this  is  a  necefl^ary  caution^nd 
they  would  learn  to  diftinguifli,  a  fuperficlal  po- 
litenefsfrom  a  ;r^/rcfpect.  If  they  would  realon 
juflly,  they  might  foon  be  undeceived.  They 
might  conclude  from  the  very  face  of  their  pre- 
vailing education,  that  we  wifli  them  to  bewitch 
our  fenfes  by  their  bc;auty  and  accomplilhments, 


FEMALE       EDUCATION.  I5 

inftcad  of  fecuringour  love  and  our  efteeni  by  any 
folid  qualities,  or  any  rational  acquirements. 

But  let  us  carefully  analyze  this  fubjefl.  Let 
us  come  to  firft  principles,  and  reafon  from  fa(Sls. 

Till  of  late  years,  a  very  remarkable  negligence 
prevailed  in  the  culture  of  their  underftanding. 

It  requires  no  violent  effort  of  memory  to  recall 
the  period,  when  there  were  females,  and  of  no 
trifling  rank,  that  were  not  able  to  compofe  or 
even^^// a  letter  with  propriety;  and  though,  of 
late,  this  defe(St  has  been  coniiderably  remedied, 
yet  how  infufficient  is  the  education,  which  we 
ftill  generally  give  them,  to  fit  them  to  be  prudent 
motliers,  fenfible  companions,  wife  and  valuable 
members  of  fociety,  or  (what  is  moll:  of  all) 
thoughtful  and  religious  Chriftians  ?  As  foon  as 
they  are  born,  we  confign  them  over  to  the  care 
of  a  mercenary  nurfe,  who  infufes,  in  her  milk, 
the  illiberality  of  her  mind,  the  ruggednefs  of  her 
temper,  and  the  pojjible  difeafes  of  her  conftitu- 
tion  •,  and,  when  they  are  of  age  to  difcriminate, 
and  lay  in  a  ftock  of  ideas,  we  fend  them  to  a 
boarding-fchool  to  learn  what  ?  Mufic,  dancing, 
accomplidiments,  diflipation  and  intrigue — every 
thing  but  folid  knowledge — every  thing  but  hu- 
mility— every  thing  but  piety — every  thing  but 
virtue  ! 

Is  this  an  adequate  difcharge  of  the  parental 
(that  is)  the  higheft  of  all  Chriftian  and  focial 
duties  ?  Can  a  mother  eafily  acquit  her  confci- 
ence,  If  a  girl  thus  vitiated  from  her  early  years, 
becomes  the  flave  of  folly,  the  play-thing  of 
fadiion,  the  dupe,  as  fhe  grows  up,  of  fome  in- 
fidious  villain,  or,  at  leall,  theinfipid  poifoner  of 
a  connexion,  that  promifed  every  fweet  and  every 
blefiing  ? — When  fucli  a  mother  lies  upon  her 
death-bed,  will  flie  feel  no  melancholv  ree'-ets  for 
D 


26  STRICTURES       ON 

a  daughter's  pnjly  nnJ  no  dreadful  anticipation  of 
her  future  indilcretions  ?  Can  Ihc  bid  her  the  laft 
adieu  with  a  compofed  heart,  and  will  not  thefe 
words  dart,  like  a  I'un-heam,  on  her  awakeneil 
confcience,  **  And  thon  fhalt  teach  thefe  ftatutes 
**  diligently  unto  thy  children,  (of  thefe  furely 
"  daughters  are  a  part,)  and  fhalt  talk  of  them, 
*'  when  thou  littelt  in  thine  houfe,  and  when  thou 
*'  walkcft  by  the  way,  and  when  thou  licll:  down, 
*'  and   when   thou   lifcfl  up?" 

There  are,  doubtkf^,  many  exceptions  to  be 
made  of  parents,  who  are  ftudioufly  and  religioufly 
attentive  to  this  important  duty.  The  Queen  of 
thefe  realms  is  an  illuflrious  inftance.  Amidft  all 
the  incircling  cares  of  greatnefs,  and  the  inchant- 
ments  of  a  throne,  flie  has  never  foi gotten,  even 
for  a  moment,  the  tendcreft  or  the  minutefl:  at- 
tentions of  a  mothiV.  Her  royal  daughters  do  ho- 
nour to  her  effv)rts,  and  proclaim  her  fiiccefs. 
Strangers  and  foreigners  are  captivated  with  their 
perfoKs,  but  they  who  know  them  bcH-,  declare 
that  they  difcover  ftill  fuperior  charms  in  their 
>,carts  and  underllanding.  Group  them  in  one 
pirt,  ?s  culrivaring  laudable  improvements  of  the 
mind,  reading  the  beft  authors,  proficient  in  the 
Belles  Lcttres,  and  convcrfant  with  the  ftudies, 
which  particularly  interefl:  and  ornament  their  fex. 
Geography,  Aftronomy,  Natural  Hifi:ory,  Poetry, 
&c.  in  another,  as  excelling  in  all  the  creative 
efforts  of  the  needle,  fancy-woi  k,  flowering,  em- 
broidery, &c.  and  you  v/ill  have  a  beautiful  pic- 
ture before*^  you,  tliat  exhibits  woman  in  iier  ze- 
nith of  perfecfticjn,  and  will  be  viewed  with  admi- 
ration, by  the  lateft  pofterity,  when  all  the  little, 
earthly   diftinclions  of  royalty  are  fled. 

*  The  Princcfs  ilo\alof  F,n,:;'an(1,  independently  of  her  birth,  is 
eftecmcd  by  people  ci  real  tallc,  one  cl  tne  moll  accomplilhcd  wo- 
ir.cn  in  £uro;c. 


FEMALE        EDUCATION.  27 

Nor  do  I  wiih  to  deny  the  merit  of  thofe  few, 
who  have  even  handled  the  pen  upon  this  fubje(Sk. 
I  am  read)^  to  acknowledge  every  attention  be- 
ftowed  on  the  fex,  by  the  labours  of  an  Halifax, 
by  the  feniiblc  and  religious  obfervations  of  a  Cba- 
pone,  and  the  more  elegant  and  judicious  ficetches 
of  a  Gregory.  The  prcfent  writings  of  Madame 
la  Comteite  de  Genlis  are  a  treafure  to  young  la- 
dies. And  I  review,  not  without  a  lingular  plea- 
fure,  the  great  and  ever  pious  Fenelon,  efteeming 
it  amongft  the  hichcft  of  his  paftoral  cares,  to  be- 
come as  well  by  his  pen,  as  his  dilcourfes,  the  re- 
ligious guardian  and  infirucStor  of  women  ;  whilft 
theSpc^Stators,  Tatlers,  the  Guardian,  the  World, 
the  Rambler,  in  their  refpt<Slive  times,  muft  be 
confefied  to  have  attended,  in  many  excellent, 
fugitive  pieces  of  raillery  and  of  rerioufnefs,  to 
their  knowledge  and  improvement.  Still  a  icw 
examples,  to  the  contrary,  do  not  afFedl:  a  general 
obfervation.  Such  a  partial  remedy  is  not  calcu- 
lated to  remove  the  malignant  diforder.  Even 
royal  virtue,  in  this  inftance,  has  not  fprcad  wi'h 
fo  diftufive  a  rapidity,  as  would,  probably,  hu\c 
attended  royal  indifcretion. 

It  may  be  faid,  that  England  juAly  boaQs  many 
literary  women.  True.  But  who  can  fay  that 
they  are  not  fo  nizny prodigies  in  their  fpecies,  or 
that  general  rules  admit  not  of  exceptions  ?  There 
are  uncommon  meteors  in  the  planetary  world. 
There  are  eccentric  bodies  in  the  b.eavcns,  which 
challenge  our  amazement.  There  are  females, 
enriched  with  an  jctherial  fpirit,  which  mounts  up 
10  its  kindred  Ikies.  I  wifli  not  to  deny  the  fame 
of  a  Graham,  the  knowledge  of  a  Carter,  or  to 
pluck  one  fmgle,  well-earned  laurel  from  the 
temples  of  a  Seward.  But  prodigies  of  female 
genius  do  not  prove  at  all,  the  genera/  ftate  of  fe- 


28  STRICTUUES       ON 

male  talents,  or  the  ordinary  level  of  female  un- 
derftanding.  I  would  alk,  at  the  fame  time,  whe- 
ther, for  one  of  thefe,  cultivated  few,  we  have 
not  thciifands  of  an  c/)/)c/;/^  defcription,  unlettered 
and  unread  ? 

Bciides,  I  am  not  arguing  for  thefe  ^/y^/ attain- 
ments. I  am  only  contending  for  that  degree  of 
culture,  and  particularly,  of  ;;;(jrrt/ culture,  which 
fhall  conveniently  incorporate  with  the  mafs  of 
common  duties  ;  which  fliall  adminifter  a  proper 
Ihare  cf  principles  and  tafte,  and,  whilft  it  does 
net  exalt  a  woman  to  an  unnatural  and  invidious 
eminence,  does  not  deprefs  her  to  an  abjet^  Ilatc 
of  frivoloufnefs,  infipidity  and  contempt. 

Though  the  *  French  ladies,  by  being  educated 
in  convents,  and  there  relieving  the  uniformity 
and  lonclinefs  of  their  prifon  with  entertaining 
books,  and  afterwards  by  a  conftant  intercourfe 
wiih  the  other  fex,  have  acquired  conliderable 
knov.'ledge  and  refinement ;  yet  what  principles 
of  juil  morality  or  decorum  can  have  been  graven 
on  their  hearts,  when  their  charafteriAic  feature 
is  levity,  and  faftiion  is  intrigue  ?  It  is  obvious 
to  any  difccrning  obferver,  that  female  literature, 
in  this  country,  is  fwtlled  beyond  its  na'urcl  di- 
menfions.  To  fit  as  judges  upon  literary  produc- 
tions, is  intruding  on  the  prerogative  of  the  other 
fex.  I  want  not  2,plethovay  but  a  found  and  un- 
diftended  ftate  of  the  female  underftanding  ;  and, 
if  a  woman  had  every  thing  that  glitters  in  knov/- 
ledge,  or  fafcinates  in  tafte,  what  comfort  would 
flie  adminiiter  to  the  poflcfTor  of  her  perfon,  if  he 
could  not  rely  on  the  tendernefs  of  her  friendihip, 
and  xh^fiticerity  of  her  affetftion  ?  To  truA  graces 
with  fuch  women,  is   putting  weapons   into  the 

*  Thickneue's  Sketches  of  the  livcj  and  writings  of  the  Ladies  if 
France. 


FEMALE       EDUCATION.  2() 

liands  of  one,  who  is  intoxIcateJ/or  infane.  Ta 
give  the  charms  of  knowledge,  is  only  furnifliing 
incentives  for  a  fpecdier  fedu6lion.  It  is  'laying 
thorns  under  pillows,  that  Ihould  have  down  -, 
and  it  is  courting  eafe,  in  the  bofom  of  vex- 
ation. 

France,  indeed,  is  To  far  from  being  any  proper 
model  of  female  education,  that  I  conceive  it  to 
be  the  vitiated  tafle  of  this  people,  which,  fet  off 
with  a  graceful  and  bewitching  manner,  has  in- 
fected many  other  countries  of  Europe,  but,  par- 
ticularly our  own,  and  overwhelmed  them,  at 
leaft,  with  a  deluge  of  frivolity,  if  not  of  crimes. 

The  levity,  or  (to  fpeak  in  fofter  terms,)  the  vi- 
vacity of  this  people,  arifing  from  air,  climate, 
food,  education,  government,  frequency  and  pe- 
culiar kind  *  of  intercourfe,  and  unchecked  by  a 
religion,  that  is  contrived  to  be  made  very  eafy  to 
the  confcicnce,  f  has  burft  thofe  folwr  barriers, 
which  cither  principle  or  delicacy  would  impofe, 
and  where  the  female  fex  are  concerned,  thinks  of 
and  ftudies  nothing,  but  the  graces. 

In  this  School,  a  Chefterficld  learned  his  art  of 
profound  diffimulation.  From  fuch  originals,  he 
took  his  difgufling  portraits  of  the  whole  fex.— 
From  this  fouice,  principally^  ifTues  the  impure 
fire^im  of  Britif}  inJifcreiion,  intrigue  and  infi- 
delity. 

*  In  FraiT'c,  old  and  yunT  afTochite  much  tDget.hcr  :  the  melan- 
choly and  phlegm  of  age  are  riiiripaicd  in  the  inurcourfe. 

+  No  nation  in  Eur(,pc  has,  p^riiaps,  Icfs  real  religion  than  France. 
—  A  g^y,  lively  people,  they  dilbciieve  tiic  abfiuditics  of  pop-rv ; 
ihcy  fpurn  at  its  fhacklcs,  they  are  dif;;ij{led  wiih  its  gloom,  and 
m?ke  a  natural,  cafy  tranfuion  to  the  other  extreme  of  Doifrn  and 
Infidelity.  I  heir  high  regaid  for  monarchv  ard  the  da!)t'(r  of  in- 
Ccrlcring  in  politics  or  religion,  keep  tlum,  in  grn'ral.  Irjni  at- 
tempting innovationy.  But  their  writers,  who  bi.rll  thcTc  prudential 
barricis.  arc  moft  parti"u'ar!v  difling:iifhcd  by  their  unhdic''.  Hel- 
clius  de  TEfprit,  VoUairc,  Raynal,  R(  iltau,  the  Count  de  Uulloii, 

D3 


QO  STRICTURES       ON 

In  proportion  as  our  people  of  quality  have 
bccn  connected  with  the  French,  they  have  im- 
bibed their  maxims.  JNIorals  have  been  lacrificed 
to  graces^  principles  to  politenefs.  Hence  the 
f.iiiiionable  mode  amongft  ladies  of  high  tajle^  is 
to  be  frank  and  eafy.  Hence  a  fyftem,  which  calls 
delicacy,  prudifhnefs ;  and  rcferve,  the  umvieldy 
incumbrance  of  a  gothic  age — though  a  celebrated 
\vi iter  has,  fomewhere,   remarked,  that 

"  There^s  no  nuoma/ij  luhere  there'* s  fio  rjferve.** 

*  The  depraved  education  of  females  in  Italy, 
is  abundantly  obvious  from  every  page  of  their 
writers.  We  trace  it  fufliciently  in  the  prevalence 
of  a  ridiculous  cuftom,  which,  affecting  all  thc. 
quixotifm  oi  platonic^  fofters,  at  Icafl:,  the  ftrong 
fufpicion  of  indulgence  to  the  impure/}  love  -,  a 
cuftom,  which  degrades  an  hufban'd  into  the 
riere,  paflive,  uncomplaining  beholder  of  name- 
lefs  indifcretions  ;  which  reprefents  a  woman  as 
the  dupe  of  a  foolifli,  vifionary  refinement,  the 
fiave  of  vanity,  or  of  ftill  more  criminal  and  in- 
delicate defires  ;  and  which  under  the  pretenfions 
of  fubliming  fentiment,  counterafls  the  vifible  ap- 
pointment of  providence,  and  robs  the  happieft 
connexion  in  the  world,  of  all  its  reciprocal  con- 
fidence and  fweets.  How  is  it  that  fuch  a  vifion 
iias  not,  long  fince,  difappeared  in  the  cultivation 


*  I:  may  be  neccfTary,  perhaps,  to  inform  fome  readers,  that, 
v.hcn  an  Italian  Lady  is  married,  fhc  choofes  for  herfclf  a  Cicifbco 
or  Gallant,  who  is  to  be  hcralmoft  infcparab'e  attendant,  to  pay  her 
all  pciit  attentions,  do  for  her  a  thoufand  kind  offices,  cfcort  h<  r  to 
>:ub!ic  places,  ?.nd  frequently  take  airings  with  her  in  her  carriagr. 
1  rom  ihtic  excurfions,  the  Lady  is  not  fliOcked  at  returning  wiih  her 
Gallant  by  her  fide,  in  the  dulk  of  the  evening;  and  tha:  hufbind 
V. ould  be  an  objcft  of  eternal  ridicule,  whom  fuch  circumilancts 
could  lead  to  entertain  the  moft  diflant  fufpicion  of  her  virtue — or, 
i.ithcr,  who  could  not  facrifice  to  the  prevalence  of  fafliion,  all  the 
]:ri\ilc(;es  of  marriage,  and  all  the  delicate  feelings  of  the  mind.  Bar« 
rtui'i  l>*'.(.ii,  Vol.  t   p.  79.     Sharp's  Trav.  p.  75, 


t    E    M  A  L    i:       EDUCATION.  3  I 

of  philorophy,  anel  the  progrefs  of  civilization  ? 
In  what  future,  h-jppy  icra  ihall  the  fun  of  reafoa 
fliine,  uneclipfed,  on  the  fair  Inhabitants  of  this 
enviable,  and  delicious,  quarter  of  the  globe  ? 
When  ihwW  a  religion,  purified  from  abfurdity, 
vvliifper  with  fuccefs,  this  plain  and  obvious  ar- 
ticle of  irs  creed,  in  their  ears,  that  marriage  is 
iht  providential  x\c  o^  one  man  to  one  woman,  for 
their  mutual  fociciy,  comfort,  and  affil^ance  I 
When  their  education  is  more  rational,  they  will 
know  their  true  dignity.  When  they  undeiftand 
their  true  dignity,  they  will  feek,  at  once,  their 
happincfs  and  tlieir  l.orour,  in  the  fole  cxclufivc 
friendlhip  and  attentions  of  the  man,  to  whom 
they  have  already  difpoled  of  their  hands — and 
fhould,  at  the  fame  time,  have  given  their  affec- 
tions. Their  prefent  fyflem  of  culture  and  max- 
ims, is  abfurd  in  the  extreme;  an  injury  to  the 
other  fex,  a  libel  on  their  own.  It  is  a  mortal, 
grafping  at  the  clouds.  Or,  in  a  truer  fenfe,  it 
is  vanity,  tiflued  with  indelicacy  and  with  guilt. 

In  Spain,  *  whither  the  true  fpirit  of  philofo- 
phy  has  never  yet  been  able  to  penetrate,  and 
where  the  bigotry  of  a  dark  and  clogging  Religion 
Aill  reigns  in  all  its  force,  we  f  are  delighted 
with  the  fight  of  many  beautiful  women,  but 
have  no  pleafure  from  contemplating  their  cha- 
racter or  education.  We  view  their  perfons  and 
are  charmed*,  we  furvey  their  minds  and  preju- 
dices, and  turn  away  difgufled  and  amazed. 

On  the  minds  of  this  people,  the  ancient  rage 
of  Knight  Errantry  has,  ftill,  left  fuch  a  v/ild 
and  romantic  enihufiafm,  ih.at  a  u'oman,  hap- 
pening to  be  left  alone  with  a  man,  would  con- 
iider  herfclf  as   highly  negle<5led,  if  a   fenlibility 

*  SA-liib  irr.c's  Travels,  p.  ^86 

f  E.tn  the  moral  lidicufc  of  the  inimilablc  Cervantes  ha* 
not  been  abjc  to  cxiirpitc  the  empire  of  ablurdiiy  in  this  kingdom. 


32  STRICTURES       ON 

to  her  charms  did  not  prompt  him  to  fuch  /Wf- 
ccnt  liberties  with  her  pcrfon,  as  the  females  of 
mofi:  other  countries  would  elieem  an  indignity, 
•and  think  themfelves  obliged  to  punifh  with  eter- 
nal rcfentment. 

With  fuch  fentimcnts,  how  fallen  and  how  un- 
defirable  is  Woman  !  In  fuch  a  country,  what 
can  be  her  culture  !  Under  the  tyranny  of  fucli 
notions,  what  the  pleafures  fhe  is  able  to  beftow  ! 
Can  they  be  mixed  with  confidence,  can  they  be 
relifhed  by  the  heart  ?  What  fweet  flowers  pe- 
rifh  in  fuch  a  clime,  for  want  of  expanlion  ? 
What  rich  and  what  luxuriant  boughs  fpreau 
around  their  poirefTors,  only  a  moping  and  a  me- 
lancholy darknefs — which,  if  they  were  judicioufly 
pruned  and  dire«Stcdj  might  ferve  to  furnifti  out 
a  moft  agreeable  fliade  to  refrelh  and  to  enliven 
all  their  retirements.  From  the  high-foul'd  en- 
thuiiafm  of  Spaniili  Ladles,  under  proper  regu- 
lations, what  might  not  be  expected  ? 

The  great  and  defpotic  Frederick,  a  prodigy  of 
talents,  boundlefs  in  his  genius,  and  reftlel's  in 
his  fchemes,  in  a  very  long  life,  that  has  been 
flill  more  extended  by  continual  exertions,  has 
done  nothing  over  his  extenfive  dominions,  that 
evinces  any  great  attentions  to  the  fex.  They  are 
much  in  the  fame  predicament  of  ignorance  and 
frivolity  here,  as  in  many  other  quarters  of  the 
globe  :  the  *  only  creatures  of  his  kingdom  that 
have  not  fliared  in  the  benefits  of  his  political 
greatnefs,  and  his  wife  legiflation. 

What  advantages  they  have  enjoyed,  have  arlfen 
from  pure,  phyfical  caufes  of  fociety  and  mannersf, 

*  Moore  in  his  Travels,  and  Shorl;)ck  in  his  Letters,  have  given  a 
jnucli  more  favourable  opinion  of  this  monarch,  ihan  we  have  been 
accultomed  to  entertain.  We  have,  always,  confide: cd  liiin  as  a 
great  warrior,  and  a  confumrnate  politician  ;  but  they  repieient  him, 
h-  uiii;ing  with  thefe  hariher  qualities,  all  the  fined  feelings  of  buma- 
r;,:v,  and  very  cr.viablc  literary  atlainmcftls. 


FEMALE       EDUCATION.  33 

nnconnecf^ed  with  any  moral  force  from  religion^ 
or  any  political  edicts  from  the  throne. 

Like  other  great  warriors,  the  King  of  Pruffia 
has  been  fwallowed  up  with  views,  of  too  immenfc 
a  nature,  to  attend,  in  any  great  degree,  to  the 
foftnefs,  to  the  charms,  and  blandishments  of 
woman.  Unlike  fome  other  heroes,  he  feems  to 
have  experienced  little  even  of  the/)^v//r^/inftin(SV, 
that  attaches  to  the  fex  ;  like  many  other  great 
and  infultwg  Legiflators,  he  has  fludied  more  the 
fecundity  of  their  nature,  than  the  formation  of 
their  minds  ;  through  hh  territories,  rewards  have 
been  offered  to  women,  who  were  pregnant  with 
an  offspring,  that  matrimony  had  not  legitimated* 
with  its  facred  rites;  the  interefts  of  morality,  he 
has  not  fcrupled  to  facrifice  to  thofe  of  population  5 
and  though  ^'ith  a  mind,  that  grafped  at  univer- 
fal  knowledge,  and  unlimited  fame,  his  palace  at 
Sans  Souci,  has  been  the  hofpitable  retreat  of -{-li- 
terary men,  poets  and  philoibphers,  he  feems  not 
to  have  entertained  one  fingle  thought  of  calling 
forth  the  dormant  abilities  of  women.  Too  little 
or  \.oo  frivolous  to  engage  his  notice,  they  have  not 
been  fo  happy  as  to  experience  his  proteiStion. 

The  Emperor,  bent   as  he   feems   on  univerfal 

*  The  King  of  PrufTia  does  rsol  fecm  to  have  one  grain  of  Rclij;ion. 
Drcamiiig  liule  of  another  world,  he  Uudics  only  to  atrgraiidize  bim- 
fclf,  as  much  as  poirible,  in  ///j.  Whfn  I  think  cf  him,  ?nd  inany 
other  defpoiic  priijccs,  thus  lyianiiifing  over  thtir  fpccies,  and 
fceming  to  fi  ppofe  ihc  bu'k  of  men,  born  only  for  their  conveiuence  ; 
when  1  conficler  ihcir  cruel  ccifls,  the  blood  ilcy  have  Qud,  and  the 
ravages  ihcy  have  made  in  all  ages  of  the  v.orId,  I  aK\ays  rcc(.'litft 
that  pallage  in  the  Rcvtla'.ion,  ar.d  tremble  (or  them;  "  And  the 
"  kings  ot  the  earth,  and  ihe  great  men,  and  the  rich  men  hid  thrm- 
"  fclvcs  in  the  dens  and  rocks  of  the  mountains,  Ai,d  laid  to  the 
*'  moniuains  and  rocks,  fall  on  us,  and  hide  us  from  the  f.^ce  of 
"  him  that  fitteih  on  the  th.ronc,  and  from  the  wrath  o(  the  Lamb." 

+  Frcdriick's  civility  to  Vol-aire  is  univerrallv  known.  'Ilit  quarrel 
which  cnfued,  does  infini  c  difcrcdit  to  the  latt.  r,  and  proves  him  10 
have  been  one  of  thofe  iniiablc,  proud,  jealous  and  vindi(Sllve  men, 
with  whom  it  was  impcfTiblc  to  ii.  e  on  terms  of  friendlhipor  cUieui, 


34  STRICTURES       ON 

reformation,  aiming,  with  an  enlightened  mind, 
and  an  enlarged  philofophy,  to  found  a  powerful 
and  extenfive  empire,  on  the  ruins  of  an  abfurd 
and  defolating  religion,  appears  not,  any  more 
than  his  illuftrious  neighbour,  the  patron  of  this 
lex.  Amongfl:  the  various  projects  of  his  inven- 
tive fancy,  and  his  reftlefs,  ambitious  mind,  fe- 
male culture  has  not  been  dignified  with  a  place*, 
and,  if  monafteries  are  no  longer  to  immure  in 
chains  alid  darknefs,  the  weeping  or  mifguided 
fair,  it  is  not  that  they  may  become  intelligent 
companions,  or  diffufe  a  fofter  charm  and  lullrc 
on  fociety  ;  but  only  that,  they  may  turn  out 
more  prolific  mothers,  and  more  robuft  and  heal- 
thy nurfes  of  embryo  heroes,  warriors,  politici- 
ans, fubjefls  and  fervants,  to  carry  on  his  vaft  and 
complicated  fchcmes.  Still  their  value  is  placed 
in  thcic  pfrfons  ;  ftill  their  milky  bofoms  are  fup- 
pofed  to  comprife  all  their  virtues,  aud  their 
charms. 

Over  *  the  Immenfe  territory  of  Ruflia,  a  dark- 
nefs and  a  barbarifm  have,  hitherto,  prevailed, 
which  obftrucl  every  idea  of  female,  or  indeed 
any  other  fpecies  of,  cultivation.  In  a  country, 
v/here  the  Clergy  themfelves  have  been  reprefented 
as  palpably  f  ignorant,  littl<?  information  can  be 
fuppofiid  to  have  dawned  on  the  bulk  of  the  peo- 
j)le.  In  an  empire  of  fo  much  favagenefs,  where, 
not  very  long  ago,  even  punilliments  of  the  t  mod 
indelicate  nature  were  inflidled  upon  females, 
where  the  fpirit  of  their  religion  foibids  all  en- 
quiry, and  the  throne  refts  moft  frcurely  on  the 
bafis  of  ignorance,  it  would  be  contrary  to  one  of 

*  Williams  on  the  Northern  Govcrnrncn's.  Lctlcri  on  the  prcfcnt 
ftate  ol  Poland. 

+  Williams  on  the  Nor.  Gov.  Vol,  2.  p.  643. 

-^  Kaim's  Sketches,  and  VVraxall's  Tour  through  the  Nor.  Parts  of 
Eur.  p.  249  and  gr^ 


f  E   M  A  L    E       EDUCATION.  35 

my  grand  pofition?,  that  women  flioiild  rife  in  any 
degree  of  confequence  or  notice.  And  though 
the  prefent  adventuring  fpiiit  of  the  Emprefs 
wifhes  to  make  Peterfburg  the  refidence  of  the  * 
arts,  civilization  and  pclitenefs,  yet  there  is  little 
in  her  chara6>er  to  encourage  the  hope  of  any 
great  attention  f  to  the  women  of  her  kingdom. 
Herfelf  wanting  true  female  tafte,  flie  is  not  likely 
to  iflue  fortli  the  laws,  which  regulate  and  enforce 
it.  A  great  and  an  uncommon  heroine,  fhe  feems 
to  know  little  of  thofe  champing  graces,  timidities 
and  delicacies,  which  culture  fliould  call  forth  in 
woman,  and  encouragements  Ihould  ripen  -,  her 
portrait  is  made  up  of  all  the  glowing  colours, 
without  any  foftening  (hades  from  the  mild  and 
the  attratStive.  She  may  be  a  great  woman,  and 
the  wonder  of  the  North  ;  but  flie  is  not  a  Char- 
lotte, more  beloved,  than  feared  ;  a  pattern  of 
graces  and  virtues  to  her  fex,  and  infinitely  more 
diftinguiflied  by  thefe,  than  all  the  fplendours  of 
her  throne. 

One  wonder  Arikcs  us  on  the  whole  of  this  in* 
veftigntion.  Whilll  the  Chriftian  religion  is  pro- 
felTed  in  thefe  kingdoms,  whither  is  its  Ipirit  fled  ? 
Under  all  its  varying  forms  and  ceremonials,  v/hat 
becomes  of  its  adluating  principles,  of  its  fpirit 
and  its  power  ? 

The  truth  is,  Chriftianity  is  the  proteus  image 
of  every  varying  country  and  tafle,  debafed  with 
the  impuiell  mixtures  of  men  j  now  fliackled  with 

*  An  Imperial  acavlcmy  cf  arts  and  fcicnces  is  now  cQablidied 
at  Peteifburg.  and  Catharine  is  dillufing,  by  (vrry  poffible  method, 
the  fpirit  ot  enquiry,  of  lieraturr,  nnd  refinement.  Royal  rewards 
are  held  forth,  as  prizes,  to  roufe  cmu'a  ion,  and  to  call  the  fcicnces 
from  their  "  prcfent,  lowly  bed." 

+  Wraxall,  however,  in  his  Tour  through  the  Northern  Parts  of 
Europe,  has  mentioned  a  princely  and  jr.ai^nifkent  hnildinj^  at  ''e- 
terfburg,  defigned  by  her  prcdccefTor  Elizabeth,  tor  a  nunnery, 
•which  the  wifdom  of  Catharine  has  converted  into  a  place  of  pjblic 
education  for  young  women  of  all  conditions. 


36  STRICTURES       ON 

fuperftition,  then  as  falfely  fublimed  by  fanaticlfm; 
often  forging  chains  for  the  perfon  or  the  con- 
fcience ;  always  made  fubfervient  to  the  efta- 
bliflied  polity  -,  feldom  enlightened  or  ftrong 
enough  to  influence  the  conduct,  and  as  rarely 
looking  to  the  real  happinejs  or  interefts  of  man- 
kind. 

I  will  not  fliock  the  reader,  or  any  longer  ex- 
hauft  his  patience  with  the  horrid  pi(^ures  I  could 
draw  *  of  Danifti,  f  Polifh,  or  %  Swedifli  Women. 
If  I  was  difpofed  for  it,  a  rich  abundance  of  ma- 
terials is  at  iiand,  to  convince  him,  that  in  none 
of  thefe  laft  recited  countries,  the  condition  of 
VTomen  is  at  all  lefs  unhappy,  or  the  clouds  of 
their  oppreffion  and  ignorance  difperfed.  Enough 
has  been  laid  to  evince  their  general  degradation 
and  ncglecft.  The  fa(St  is  too  notorious  to  be  mif- 
taken,  and  too  ftrong  to  be  controverted.  Even 
in  the  moft  civilized  kingdoms,  women,  in  the 
fame  moment,  are  courted  and  defpifed.  With 
an  exquifite  organization,  lively  paffions,  and  an 
happy  imagination,  that  give  a  difpofition  for  moft 
talents,  and  for  every  virtue,  we  train  them  up  to 
be  FRIVOLOUS  and  insipid  ;  and,  whilft  we  rob 
the  ftiade  of  all  its  fvveeteft  comforts,  are  doing 
injuries  to  fociety,  that  can  never  be  repaired. 

♦  Williams  on  the  Northern  Governments,  Vol.  1. 
+  Vol.  2.  p.  643.  +  Vol.  1.  p.  636. 


FEMALE       EDUCATION.  37 


Here  Love  his  golden  fhafts  employs,  here  liohts 
His  conQant  lamp,  and  waves  his  purple  wings ; 
Reigns  here,  and  revels  not  in  the  bought  fmilcs 
OF  harlots,  lovelcfs,  joylcfs,  uncndear'd  ; 
Thefc  luU'd  by  nightingales,  embracing  flept  ; 
And  on  their  naked  limbs,  the  flow'ry  roof 
Shower *d  rofes — 


Par.  Lost, 


Quid  deceit ,  guid  rwn,  quo  mr(us,  quo  ferat  error. 

^  *  Hor.  A^t.  Pc^. 


*  ''  I  ■"  H  A  T  the  paflions  were  implanted  in  us 
J[  by  the  Deity,  as  the  fprings  of  all  oui- 
alliens,  and  are  therefore,  in  a  certain  degree, 
innocent  and  lawful,  is  too  obvious  a  do£lrine>  in 
the  theory  of  morals,  to  need  any  illuftration. 

Amongft  thefe  paflions,  the  love  of  the  other 
fex  is  infinitely  the  ftrongeft  and  the  mod  univer- 
fal  J  and,  by  operating  at  a  time  of  life,  when  the 
character  and  habits  are  molt  eflentially  affected, 
has  given  rile  to  the  greateft  revolutions  in  fociety, 
and  to  feme  of  the  moft  extraordinary  incidents 
of  common  life. 

To  touch  upon  the  fubjeft  of  love,  is  gliding 
with  an  electric  force  and  quicknefs,  into  every 
bofom.  The  defcription  of  it  never  fails  to  cre- 
ate  an  univerjal  intereft,  or  to  arreit  the  general 

*  This  ElTay  is  intended  to  be  a  philofophical  theory  of  the  pro- 
gnTs  of  love,  asunconncftcd  uiih  any  p^irticnldr  religion,  or  indeed 
will)  any  ly^'trn  ot  R  vc'dliun.  In  the  moulding  of  this  pairioi', 
motal  caulcs  wjll.  doubtlel&,  iiavc  their  influence,  but  the  phyfical 
will,  generally,  pieijondcrate  over  all  others. 


3S  STRICTURES       ON 

nttcntion,  whecher  we  read  its  progrefs,  its  ad- 
ventures, and  its  revolutions  in  the  fublime  and 
dignified  language  of  hillory,  in  the  pathetic  tra- 
gedy, in  the  vifionnry  novel,  or  hear  it  only  gl inrt'd 
at  in  the  eafy  and  familiar  play  of  focial  converla- 
tion.  To  the  old,  it  recalls,  in  an  agreeable  man- 
ner, early  glowing  fondneiTes,  and  early  fcenes, 
which  the  chillinefs  of  years  only,  now,  permits 
Imagination  to  enjoy  j  \\iu\i\  younger  people  with 
a  rapture,  that  thrills  on  all  their  finel>  fenlibili- 
tics,  apply  tlie  picture,  thus  gratefully  exhibited, 
to  the  iicarcfi  and  the  dcareft  favourite  of  their 
liearts. 

Love,  like  all  otlier  paffions,  has  fufFercd  in 
the  wrong  opinions,  and  the  perverfe  reprefenta- 
tions  of  different  men.  Libertines  have  degraded 
it  into  downright  brutality,  forgetting  thaty^/i//- 
me/it  is  a  part  of  our  frame,  and  that  we  are 
pmeth'vig  railed  above  the  groveling  nature  of  the 
hearts  that  perifli.  *  Piatoniffs,  on  the  other 
hand,  have  refined  it  into  an  abftradted  union  of 
fouls,  independent  of  matter,  as  if  wc  were  pure, 
difembodied  fpirits,  or  as  if  the  phyfical  inftinft, 
for  tiie  propagation  of  the  fpecies,  had  not  been 

*  The  platonic  dc6liinc  is  the  faHaticifm  of  love.  It  is  the  pride 
of  fcntiment,  raifing  to  itfcif  a  temporary  fabric,  on  the  ruins  of 
matter.  It  is  an  umatural  effort  to  become,  what  natiuc  never  meant 
we  (hould  be.  It  is  a  falfc  delicacy,  concealin^r  under  romantic 
names,  a  paflion,  which  neither  needs  to  call  forth  apologies  nor 
bluHies. 

No  man,  perhaps,  ever  entertained  a  warm  fiicndflnp  for  a 
woman,  and  no  woman  for  a  man,  in  which  dUV-rrnce  of  fcx  did 
not  make  an  cirmtial  conlidcration,  PoHibly  this  is  the  primary 
movcmeal,  which  fcts  all  our  putia'iiiy  for  them  at  work,  if  we 
could  nicely  trace  the  fubiil  r.nd  cleflrical  workings  ol  tlie  mind  to 
their  fouice.  Piatonifm,  io  fhort,  maybe  a  fine  fpun  theory,  and 
convey  an  agreeable  found  to  the  fqueamiili  ears  of  delicacy,  but 
has,  in  few  inlbnccs,  I  believe,  been  reduced  to  piaflice.  "Yonng 
Ladies  talk  without  rcfcrve;  they  think  they  may  do  it  with  iafety 
and  plaufibiiity,  of  fiiendlhip  ioi  a  man. — Let  me  warn  ihem,  that 
it  is,  often,  a  tencicier  pafli  ni.  aiid  that  fonie  cncuinilanccs  and  a 
little  oproi 'unity  luive  frequently  proved — mucli  at  tlicir  txpenci:^ 
tht  truth  of  my  duffiinc. 


FEMALE       EDUCATION.  3^ 

Imphnted  in  us  by  a  Being,  T\'ho  never  errs  ; 
whiift  a  gloomy  religion,  ever  intent  on  its  own 
power,  emoluments  and  grandeur,  has  exalted 
vows  of  continence  and  perpetual  virginity  into 
an  high  degree  of  fan^lity,  and  ertecmcd  it  me- 
ritorious  to  triumph  over  feelings,  which  a  God  of 
purity  and  perfe^ion  had  ordained. 

I  need  not  enter  on  Txferious  refutation  of  opi- 
nions which  carry  their  own  abfurdity  on  their 
forehead.  The  creed  of  libertines  is  contrary  to 
every  dicli  te  of  reafon,  confcience,  religion,  and 
to  every  principle  of  found  policy,  and  wife  legi- 
llation.  It  militates  in  the  Orongeft  manner, 
againft  that  wife  appointment  of  providence, 
which  obvioufly,  from  the  near  equality  of  num- 
bers, defigned  to  appropriate  one  iu:man  to  one  man. 
It  ftrikes  ^t  the  root  of  a  facred  connexion,  which 
is  the  parent  of  every  fecial  and  tender  relaiion- 
iliip,  the  repleniflier  of  private  families,  and  the 
florchoufe  of  the  ftate.  It  would  deftroy,  at 
leaft  the  kappinefs  of  iin  union,  whofe  veiyef- 
fence  is  reciprocal  confidence,  and  reciprocal 
efletm  ;  a  train  of  children  to  be  rationally  and 
religioufly  educated  by  thofe,  whodifcern  in  their 
features,  and  would  imprefs  upon  their  mai^nerf, 
a  refemblance  of  their  own.  And  it  would,  ul^ 
t'lmately^  be  fubverdve  of  that  increafe  of  popula- 
tion, which  the  commerce  of  the  fexes  was  de- 
figncd  to  promote. 

The  fccond  opinion  is  too  vifionary  to  be  no- 
ticed ;  an  attempt  at  being  angels  in  this  taberna- 
cle of  clay,  and  an  attempt,  which  has  generally 
iunk  its  abettors  as  much  below  the  point  of  their 
real  dignity  and  excellence,  asthey  had  raifed  them- 
fclves  above  it  in  airy  fpeculation.  Thefe  purejl 
of  the  pui'eh2i\t  betrayed  frailties,  which  the  pride 
oi  their  philofophy  forbad  them  to  confefs  i  their 
E2 


40  STRICTURES       ON 

fpirlt  has  wonderfully  amalgamated  with  matter, 
and  a  friend ftiip  {ormcdy  fcrmingiy,  in  heaven,  (by 
what  they  have  called  a  fympathy  of  fouls,)  has 
been  ]mpu\c\y  cofi/uwma/t'd on  earth,  whllll  nature 
has  alTcrttd  her  trampled  rights  over  the  devotees 
of  a  pai  titular  church,  by  telling  all  the  woild, 
in  the  anecdotes  of  hiflory,  that  they  have  only 
fublVituted  the  ftolen  debaucheries  and  excefTes  of 
a  convent,  for  the  pure  and  hallowed  pleafures  of 
the  marriage  bed. 

Nothing  but  a  found  and  a  compichcnfive  phi- 
lofopliy,  gioundcd  on  the  principles  of  nature 
and  of  truth,  will  ever  fland  the  teft  of  experi- 
ence, or  of  a  critical  inveiligatlon.  All  other  no»- 
tio:ii  of  this  paflion,  not  founded  in  fuch  philo- 
fophy,  will  quickly  difappear  with  the  authors, 
who  abet  them.  The  frothy  bubble  burils,  as 
joon  as  it  is  handled.  The  cobweb  fyl^em  is  de- 
ranged by  the  touch  of  life.  Love  is  a  paflion, 
not  to  be  eradicatedy  but  only  to  be  properly  regu- 
lated and  controuled.  And  it  will  always  rage 
with  a  violence  \n private,  proportioned  to  the  «/i- 
/.\7/i/rc7  reftraints  laid  on  it  before  the  pubHc  eye, 
Piiclicraft  and  fanaticifm  may  appear  to  have  to- 
rally^xtinguiflied  the  flame  *,  but  the  embers  will 
revive  with  the  firft  gale  of  opportunity,  and  the 
iire  will  confume  happinefs  and  morals. 

Thfs  pafTion  of  love  will  always  receive  its  par- 
ticular form  and  modification  from  the  peculiar  cir- 
cumftances  of  rudenefs  or  civilization,  from  the 
particular  climate,  government,  religion  and  tem- 
perament of  the  people,  amongft  whom  it  is 
found.  The  mode,  in  which  love  is  confidered, 
will  always  prefer ibe  the  method  of  treating  wo- 
men, who  are  the  objeds  of  it.  The  light,  in 
which  females  are  viewed,  whether  of  refpeiftabi- 
lity  or  degradation,  will  produce  their  particular 
kind  of  education.     Their  education  will,  princi- 


FEMALE       EDUCATION.  4I 

pally,  form  their  character  and  manners  ;  and,  if 
we  confider  the  ftrong  and  univerfal  force  of  th's 
paffion,  the  manners  and  characters  of  women 
will  have  the  ftrongert  reciprocal  influence  on  the 
purfuits  and  habits,  on  the  complexion  and  the 
tafte,  on  the  private  and  the  public  happinefs  of 
any  people. 

This  fympathy  for  the  other  fex  is  then  in  its 
proper  ftate  of  vigour  and  perfe(Slion,  when,  to 
that  ardour  of  paflion,  which  is  dire£led  to  their 
perfons,  we  join  a  tender  nefs  of  fentiment,  which 
efteems  them  as  companions,  as  formed  to  foften 
the  forrows  and  misfortunes,  and  to  communicate 
a  zeft,  an  elevation  and  a  poignancy  to  all  the  real 
pleafures  and  enjoyments  of  life.  The  flrft  of 
thefe  caufes  multiplies  the  fpecies  and  extends  po- 
pulation j  the  latter  tifTues  animal  with  rational, 
fentiment  with  fenfation,  and  makes  the  know- 
ledge and  underftanding  of  the  man  rife  above 
the  groflnefs  and  ftupidity  of  the  brute. 

Such  a  rational  and  proper  fentiment  of  women 
will  not  be  the  produce  of  every  age,  or  of  every 
fituation.  Many  happy  circumftances  muft  concur 
to  produce  and  cherish  it.  The  fii  ft  and  latefl: 
ftages  of  fociety,  in  any  country,  will  not  be  pro- 
pitious to  its  growth.  ]t  is  but  in  a  certain  ftate 
of  manners,  that  it  will  vegetate  or  fpring. — 
Rudenefs  is  a  frofl:,  which  nips  it  in  the  bud,  and, 
under  the  fcorching  fun  of  extreme  refinement, 
it  gradually  dies.  It  is  very  late  in  making  its 
appearance,  and,  like  other  of  the  fweeteft  flow- 
ers of  mortality,  it  is  but  for  an  hour.  It  wholly 
depends  upon  the  ftate  of  kingdoms  ;  and  king- 
doms never  long  "  continue  in  one  ftay.'' 

It  has  occurred,  in  the  courfe  of  the  former 
eiTay,  how  favages  treat  women.  Love,  with 
thtw^  is  mere  animal  inftin^l.     It  has  nothing  of 

E3 


.4-  S   T   R    I    C    T   U    R   E  S     -O  N 

entiment  in  its  groveling  compofition  ;  and  they 
gratify  it  with  as  little  ceremony,  as  their  hunger 
or  their  thirft. 

*  Women,  in  fuch  places  and  fuch  xras  of  fo- 
ciety,  are  the  mere  involuntary  flaves  of  their  def- 
pots.  Their  charms  do  not  appear  of  fuilicient 
confequence  to  inftigate  the  defire  of  an  exclufive 
appropriation.  Every  comer  is  admitted  to  their 
bofoms  ;  and  a  bofom  ftruggling  with  indifcr'im'inate 
violence,  feels  no  preference,  and  can  know  no 
diltindlion. 

As  fociety  emerges  from  the  infancy  of  rude- 
nefs  into  fome  degree  of  form,  the  idea  of  pro- 
perty of  every  fpecies  will  begin  to  prevail,  and 
ivomin  will  be  included  in  the  eftimation.  That 
defire,  which  was  lavifhed  on  the  fex  at  large, 
will  be  confined  to  a  few.  Confidering  lemalcs, 
as  a  fpecies  of  treafure,  a  man  will  wiih  to  be- 
come the  fole,  exclufive  proprietor  of  one  or  n'lOre 
of  them,  as  of  any  object,  according  to  the  laws 
and  circumftances  of  his  country.  The  fame  talle, 
which  appropriates  a  fine  garden  or  an  eftate,  will 
prompt  him  to  fill  his  Wiileferaglio  with  the  faireft 
of  the  fair. 

When  any  people  have  arrived  to  a  certain  de- 
gree of  knowledge,  civilization,  and  poUtenefs, 
women  will  have  all  that  rational  confequence, 
which  I  have  defcribed.    The  finefl  feelings  of  the 

*  Dr.  Stuart,  in  his  hiftory  of  Society  in  Europe,  has,  in  a  very 
niaHerly  maniifr,  combated  this  idea  of  women,  in  a  favagc  condi- 
tion, being  in  a  ilate  of  abjeft  fervility;  but,  with  all  proper  dc- 
fcicnce  to  his  elegant  pen,  and  diftinguifhed  abili'.ics,  I  feel  myfelf 
inclined  to  thiuk,  that  the  inftances  he  has  adduced,  are  only  fo 
many  exceptions,  which  may  eafily  be  admitted,  without  dcflroving 
the  truth  or  validity  of  the  general  ru'e.  His  hiftory  of  Society  in 
turope  is,  however,  in  my  idea,  a  maflerly  fkcfch  of  genius  and 
learning,  and  ranks  him  with  the  firft  writers  of  the  age. 

Falconer  in  his  hllays  on  the  influence  of  Climate,  has  likev.ifc, 
adopted  this  opinion,  p.  283.  For  very  contrary  ftntimcnls,  Ice 
Ar)l>.  Pol.  L>b.  1.  C.  2. 

Robert.  IJill.  of  America,  Vol.  1,  p.  321.  Kuim't Sketch,  Vol.  i. 


FEMALE       EDUCATION.  43 

foul  will  vibrate  to  tlieir  chariTis  ;  their  delicacy 
will  infpire  attention  ,  their  weaknefs  will  be  the 
ftrongeft  claim  to  protedlion.  Love  and  friend- 
(hip  will  bow  at  their  Ihrine,  and  offer  them  that 
mingled  tribute  of  lentiment  and  of  defire,  which 
is  alone  worth  their  acceptance.  The  virtue  of  fuch 
an  xra  will  both  produce  and  preferve  the  purity 
of  their  morals,  and  the  purity  of  their  morals 
will  be  refle6\ed  back  on  the  honour,  the  exiftence, 
and  profperity  of  fuch  a  ftate.  This  will  be  the 
gcUen  age  of  the  fex.  It  will  be  the  epoch  of  their 
triumphs,  and  their  conquefts. 

I  know  not  whether  this  idea  may  be  over- 
trained, and  drawn  beyond  the  line  of  human 
imperfe<51:ion  •,  but,  in  revolving  over  the  hiftory 
of  the  world,  I  ftel  myfelf  inclined  to  doubt, 
whether  fuch  a  period  ever  has  exifled.  It  does 
not  appear  in  the  annals  of  *  antiquity.  It  is 
not  vifible  in  the  prefent  face  of  Europe.  Has  it 
been  in  the  paft  ? 

As  profperity  and  riches  increafe  in  a  kingdom, 
the  morals  of  the  women,  like  thofe  of  the  other 
fex,  will  not  fail  to  fuffer  in  the  general  cor- 
ruption. Paffions,  heated  by  exceffes,  and  unre- 
ftrained  by  religious  principle,  will  be  violent  and 
ungovernable;  and  that  luxury,  which  feeks 
every  other  fcnfual  pleafure,  will  not  fail  to  dif- 
folve  in  that,  which  is  confefledly  the  higheft  fpe- 
cies  of  animal  gratification.  Licentious  writings, 
(the  produce  of  fo  rank  an  sera)  Pwomances,  No- 
vels, Pictures,  and  the  varied,  /W^//V^2/^  reprefen- 
tations  of  the  ftage  f  will  accelerate  the  laft  con- 

*  Of  all  people,  perhaps,  the  ancient  Germans  had  the  grealeft 
veneration  for  women.  Tacit.  Germ.  C.  8.  Mallet's  North. 
Antiq.  tranilated,  8vo.  Vol.  \.  p.  317.  Plut,  de  Virtut.  muiier. 
P.)lv.-c>M  Stra'a^cni.  Lib.  7. 

+  Tacitus  fays  of  the  ancient  Germans,  fcpta  pudicitiie  agunt,  nullis 
fpe^acutorv:/t  illccbris,  nullis  con\ivicJuni  iiritationibus  corrupta». 
T»c.  dc  Mor.   Germ.  C.  19. 


44  STRICTURES       ON 

vulfions  cf  virtue,  and  fmoiher  the  juft  expiring 
embers  of  female  relerve.  An  enervated  body  in 
the  fex  cannot  long  refill  this  extraordinary  fer- 
ment. An  enfeebled  mind  will  not  have  vigour 
to  ftruggle  with  temptation.  Marriage  will  be  a 
burdenfome,  and  intolerable  rcftraint  on  a  rov- 
ing inclination.  Inconftancy  will  be  frequent,  and 
divorces  fued  for  as  the  only  refource,  Jiowever 
poor,  and  however  difgraceful,  from  an  unhappy 
connexion.  A  vagrant,  ever  relllefs  appetite  will 
pant  for  variety.  Libertinifm  will  eredt  its  defo- 
lating  flandard  on  the  ruins  of  delicacy ;  and,  in 
the  general   perverfion  of  tafte,  chaftity  will  be- 

Whatcver  may  be  faid  of  the  fublime,  moral  fcntimcnts  contained 
In  feme  plays,  it  is  certain,  that,  on  the  whole,  the  reprefentationi 
of  the  ftagc  are  liighly  pernicious  to  the  morals  of  young  people. 
Such  feniimentj,  no  doubt,  are,  occafional/y,  intcrfperfcd  through 
them,  but,  in  fa6l,  (erve  only,  as  a  fpccious  fwcet  to  gild  over  the 
poifun,  that  lurks  beneath.  For  it  is  rtoi  thc(e  fntimaits,  that  give  to 
plays  the  amazing  intcreft  they  have  over  our  hearts.  Let  any  per- 
fon  endeavour  to  recollcft  the  moft  ferious  and  (entimcntal  plays  wc 
have  in  our  language,  and  we  will  find  them,  at  the  fame  lime,  to 
be  the  worft  received  of  any  others,  in  the  reprefentaiion.  And 
what  is  the  reafon  ?  they  have  not  fo  much  of  that  love p/ot  and  de- 
nouement, they  have  not  enough  of  that  vivid  colouring  and  appeal 
to  the  tcuder  pajfions,  which  give  thefe  entertainments,  particularly 
with  young  people,  fuch  inexprediblc  charms.  Can  it  be  prudent 
to  heighten  palfions,  always  of  themfclves  fufHciently  fervid,  or  to 
blow  up  fiames,  which  already  rage  fo  powerfully,  as  to  threaien  the 
dcftruftion  of  the  houfe  we  live  in  ? 

Mr.  Addifon  has  juftly  faid,  that  the  ftage,  under  proper  regula- 
tions, might  be  made  an  excellent  fource  of  entertainment  and  in- 
flruftion;  but,  if  it  was  laid  under  fuch  fevere  rcflri£lioiis,  as  the 
cha{Hty  of  this  good  man's  tafte  would  have  prcfcribed,  there  is 
reafon  to  apprehend,  it  would  foon  be  defertcd. 

It  is  true  that  plays  are  purilicd  from  fome  of  their  former  inde- 
cencies ;  and,  that  the  public  ear  would  be  fhockcd  at  indelicacies, 
which,  oncet  it  heard  with  the  higheft  approbation.  But  this  fcems 
more  an  effeft  of  refinement,  than  of  virtue.  Wc  can  flill  boar  the 
Jentiv:ei,t,  though  we  fhould  bludi  at  the  cxprefiTion ;  we  love  the 
impuiity,\i  it  comes  but  in  a  cleanly  gzYh.  Our  tafte,  in  fliort,  has 
taught  us  to  (hudder  at  all  vulgar  things,  (and  indelicacy  is  in  the 
number.)  whilft  the  progrefs  of  licentious  pafTion  and  the  hiftory  of 
Intrigues,  prove  that  our  hearts  are  not  \tl\,  but,  perhaps,  more 
deeply,  corrupted.     And  it  is  known  to  be  tiie  cffential  doftrine  of 


FEMALE       EDUCATION.  45 

come  an  nnfafliionable  virtue.  Such  have  been 
mofl;  nations  of  antiquity  in  a  certain  ftagc  and 
progreflion  of  their  empire.  Such  were  Nineveh, 
Babylon,  Tyre,  Athens,  Rome,  in  the  accumu- 
lation of  fuccefles  ;  and  (not  to  mention  other 
invidious  inftanccf,)  fuch,  in  feme  degree,  at  the 
prefent  moment,  is  the  profperous  and  opulent 
ifland  of  Great  Britain. 

The  abfurd  and  romantic  fpirit  of  chivalry 
never  yet  totally  extinguifhed,  which  pays  un- 
meaning compliments,  where  it  feels  no  efteem, 
in  conjunction  with  the  other  caufes,  which  have 
been  enumerated,  compofes  that  nwtley  mixture 
of  attention  and  negltdl,  of  flattery  and  con- 
tempt, oi  homage  and  of  infult  which  we  extend 
to  the  fair.  For  in  fa<St,  whatever  a  cold-hearted 
politencis  fays,  or  the  afFc<Slation  of  lenfibility 
may  pretend  to  feel,  women,  in  this  country,  by 
the  majority  of  men,  are  confidered  but  as  inftru- 
ments  of  vanity  or  pleafure.  Our  love  is  chiefly 
falhion,  mixed  Vv'ith  a  confiderable  portion  of  an 
ingredient,  which  it  would  be  improper  and  irde* 
licate  to  name.  The  latter  we  gratify  with  thofc 
unhappy  creatures,  whofe  ruintd  character  re» 
quires  no  reparation  5  and  for  the  firli,  we  fhift 
attentions,  in  an  endlefs  rotation,  with  thole 
more  illuftrious  names,  whofe  tafhionablenefs  can 
give  eclat  and  dignity  to  our  choice,  and  whofe 
fortune  has  propitioufly  placed  them  in  a  rank 
to  refent  our  fedudUons.  Our  eulogies  have  no 
fincerity ;  our  attachments  have  no  ardour,  no 
conftancy,  no  zefl ;  we  fctk  a  pleafure  from  the 
fex,  but  we  do  not  find  it,  becaul'e  it  is  not  fought 
in  the  qualities  of  the  heart. 

"What  but  this  ftrange  opinion  of  women 
fancflified  by  fafhion,  and  connived  at  by  our 
penal  laws,  could  have  emboldened  the  worthlefs 
and  puny  libertine  to  boaft  of  his   triumphs  over 


4^  STRICTURES        ON 

the  innocence  of  a  credulous  and  tender  fex, 
whofe  honour  it  is  certainly  his  burinefs  to  guard, 
and  whofe  delicacy  to  protCifl  ?  What  but  the  idea 
of  a  fafhionable  confequence  annexed  to  intrigue, 
and  of  a  credit  refulting  from  a  multiplicity  of 
amours,  could  have  qualified,  with  any  accom- 
modating foftner:,  the  natural  horrors,  indecncy 
and  guilt  of  violating  the  marriage  bed  ?  What 
other  caufe  would  have  effc(£luaily  ikrecned  either 
of  thefe  chara(5ters  from  tlie  univerfal  odium  and 
infamy  they  dsferve  ?  And  what  elfe  could  have 
induced  an  injured  and  infulted  ("ex particularly  to 
carefs  thcfe  alTallins  of  their  peace,  and  to  confider 
the  number  of  fedudlions  in  a  man,  as  fo  many 
fears  Gt  glory,  gained  in  the  held  of  love,  which 
intitled  him  to  fuperior  notice  and  diilinction. 

I  need  not  ftop,  a  moment,  to  enumerate  the 
evils  (for  they  occurred  in  the  beginning  of  this 
crr^y,)  refulting  from  fuch  a  tafte.  An  abfolute 
diiTolution,  a  weakening,  or  a  total  prevention  of 
that  union,  which  is  the  very  bond  and  cement  of 
fociety  ;  furpicion  fuhfliruted  into  the  room  of 
confidence,  inconllancy  of  attachment  ;  vague 
and  ciiminal  pleafures,  which  communicate  dif- 
eafe,  v/hich  hinder  propagation,  and  fuppofe  a 
total  abfence  of  fentiment  and  efieem  ;  a  youth 
emaciated  from  early  excefles,  without  principles, 
without  conlritutions,  and  without  love,  leave  a 
nation  nothing  to  expect  but  a  race  of  puny,  fpi- 
ritlefs  creatures,  ill  prepared  to  become  the  de- 
fenders of  their  country,  and  bearing,  on  their 
very  charadlers  and  faces,  every  foreboding  fymp- 
tom  of  its  approaching  difl"olution. 

With  this  fentiment  of  w^omen,  we  are  cautious 
to  give  them  a  conefponding  education.  It  is 
wholly  turned  on  vanity  and  trifles,  calculated 
only  to  embellifli  thofe  perfons,  which  we  wilh  to 
^njoy ;    to   feed  that  vanity,  over  which  we  mean 


FEMALE       EDUCATION.  47 

to  triumph,  and  to  preferve  that  abjedtednefs  and 
inferiority  of  mind,  which  are  favourable  to  op- 
preflion.  Perfon  and  manner  are  the  great  objc^i: 
in  the  education  of  this  fcx.  lo  render  tlie  one 
beautiful,  and  the  other  inchanting,  are  our  higheft 
care.  This,  in  general,  is  the  employment  of 
the  governcfs.  To  this  are  devoted  all  the  labours 
of  the  toilet.  To  this  are  confecrated  their  morn- 
ings, and  their  days.  The  conlequence  is,  that 
that  they  dazzle  or  inflame  the  fenfes,  but  con- 
vey no  joy  or  relifli  to  the  heart.  The  artificial 
flower  has  no  fmell  or  eflence  !  The  \id\w\.C(\J}atue 
has  no  foul  or  animation. 

The  company  of  women,  whatever  may  be 
t4ieir  tafte,  will  always,  in  a  greater  or  a  kTs  de- 
gree, be  courted  by  the  ether  fex.  With  the 
vain  and  fafliionable,  it  has  pafled  into  zfyjleniy  to 
devote  a  very  conflderable  portion  of  his  hours  to 
the  fair,  and  it  is  generally  eflesmed  a  neceflary 
ftep  to  politenefs  and  the  graces. 

I  (iiall  not  flop  a  m.oment  to  examine  the  truth 
or  fallacy  of  this  opinion.  Suffice  it  to  remark, 
that  in  this  intercourfe,  all  young  men,  indifcri- 
mitiately,  will  endeavour  to  pleafe.  In  order  to  be 
agreeable,  they  mud  have  fuch  qualities,  as  cap- 
tivate the  fex,  and  converfe  upon  lubjedls,  in 
which  they  are  interefted.  What  is  this  conver- 
fation  ?  The  little  *  anecdotes  of  the  day  ;  the  lafl: 

*  I  am  fenfible,  whilft  I  am  wriiing  tliefe  lines,  that  tb.fe  atten- 
tions to  virtuous  women,  are  mucii  on  the  decline.  Our  manners 
arefo  undomefticated,  and  our  morals  fo  depraved,  that  the  gtverality 
of  youth  feck  only  from  v^romcn,  thofe  licentious  favours,  which  it 
is  in  the  power  of  auy  yif/zw/V  to  confer ;  and,  having  found  thcle, 
with  unblufliing  eEFrontery,  in  the  arms  of  tlie  impure,  they  have  no 
funhtr  talfc  or  wifhcs  for  the  united pltaiures,  which  all  the  virtuous 
and  accomplilhf.d  of  the  fex  could  bellow,  in  deli  acy  of  Icniimont, 
ill  vivacity  of  manner,  in  confidence  of  friendlhip,  or  in  ea'e,  gaiety 
and  in  ("piightlmefs  ot  converfadcn.  Still  thcie  a;//  be  multitudes 
amongll  men,  of  an  happier  and  a  more  virtuous  defcription,  and  to 
thefe  the  obfeivatioii  will  forcibly  apply. 


48  STRICTURES       ON 

intrigue  or  amour  wliich  public  fame  hns  glanced 
at,  or  fome  well-informed  friend  \\<\%  anfidetitially 
whifpered ;  the  brilliance  of  a  biith-m^ht ;  the 
advrr.tures  of  a  ball  ;  or  which  is  mnfl^  to  be  pre- 
ferred in  colours,  lilach  or  pea-green.  The  man, 
who  aticmpt-^il  to  change  the  ten  of  fuch  a  conver- 
fation,  and  )ubl>imte  in  its  IteaJ,  any  thing  of 
fcie\)ce,  or  any  tiling  of  tafte,  would  be  elleemed 
an  horrid  hoor,  unfit  for  polite  or  rafisnn/  focittyy 
to  b  •  cx,)oicd  with  ritlicul:,  and  branded  with 
contempt. 

In  this  career  of  gallantry,  much  time  muft  be 
fpent,  and  in  thai  precious  and  important  feafon 
of  life,  when  the  foundations  of  every  thing ^/-^'af 
fhould  be  laid,  when  -.nativity  Ihould  be  roufed, 
when  talents  Ihould  be  ripened,  and  when  the 
thirft  of  glory  (liould  be  felt,  as  the  grand  and 
ftimulating  movement  of  the  foul.  With  men  of 
finilhed  gaiety,  fcarcely  is  a  little  life  fufficient 
for  the  purpofe.  Attention  and  attachment  muft 
be  varied  and  multiplied  in  an  endlefs  fucceflion. 
This  fair  one  muft  be  forfaken,  and  another  muft 
be  addrcfled.  It  were  horrid  to  be  conftant, 
where  variety  is  the  fafhion,  where  fafhion  only 
gives  the  laurel  of  diftincSlion,  and  adjudges  it  to 
fit  moft  gracefully,  upon  the  brows  of  thofe,  who 
can  make  their  ravages  amongft  the  fex,  diffufive 
as  their  connexions. 

Nor  is  the  lofs  of  time  the  only  difadvantage, 
arifing  from  this  fyrtem.  The  propenflties  it  gives 
are  unfavourable  to  every  great  and  magnanimous 
exertion. 

Young  men  become  infenfibly  ajjimilated  to  the 
frivol oulnefs  they  addrefs,  and  affccl  to  admire  ; 
and  that  frivoloufnefs  extends  itfelf  to  all  their 
habits  and  modes  of  thinking,  to  all  their  defigns 
and  all  their  undertakings,  to  all  their  aflions  and 
interccurfe  with  the  world.     They  get  modes  of 


FEMALE       EDUCATION.  ^9 

levity,  efteminacyand  diflipation,  which  are  equally 
incompatible  with  the  acquirement  of  fcience,  or 
the  laborious  efforts  of  virtue.  Their  purfuits  of 
every  kind  will  be  marked  with  this  frivolity.  The 
youth  which  fliould  be  the  glory  of  a  nation,  will 
become  its  reproach.  Inftead  of  climbing,  with 
arduous  labour,  the  facred  hill  of  virtue  or  of 
learning,  they  will  endeavour  to  transform  and 
remodify  their  nature,  and  take  up  with  fuch  im- 
perfe^  fragments  of  both,  as  they  are  able  to  find 
in  the  bofom  of  pleafure,  or  the  inglorious  vale  of 
indulgence.  Such  a  revolution  this  age  has  ex- 
perienced. This  expedient  has  been  ridiculoujly 
attempted.  Philofophy  has  refigned  its  ufual 
fternnefs,  and  dropped  its  abdra^Sted  language  to 
pleafe  the  Ladies,  Authors,  in  general,  affecl  to 
lie  upon  the  toilet.  They  Ikim  the  furface,  and 
publiOithc  beauties  of  Jlne  luriters.  Morality  affumesJ 
the  meretricious  drels  of  novels  to  captivate  the 
tafte.  We  have  very  pretty  preachers  ;  we  have 
amiable  Senators  •,  we  have  very  polite  officers  ;  and 
few  great  men.  Confequences  fo  malignant,  and 
fo  comprehenfive  in  their  effecfts,  dcferve  confi- 
deration.  A  difeafe,  fo  interwoven  with  the 
vitals  of  the  conftitution,  fliould  not  be  negle6led. 

I  have  not  enumerated  half  the  evils  of  this 
faftiion.  If  it  prevents  many  marriages,  it  robs 
thoie,  which  do  exiil:,  of  all  their  fweetnefs  and 
all  their  joys. 

It  is  in  retirement,  that  fenfible  minds  look  for 
real,  heart-felt  fatisfaflion.  It  is  in  woman,  as 
the  friend  and  companion  of  that  retirement, 
that  feltifh  is  exalted  into  fecial  enjoyment,  and 
that  the  fweets  of  friendfliip  and  the  luxury  of 
confidence  leave  us  nothing  to  defire  but  their 
liability  and  their  duration.  How  does  the  mod 
uiitant  profpecl:  of  Inch  a  ftate,  amidft  the  toils 
F 


5©  STRICTURES       ON 

of  labour,  the  wrinkles  of  care,  and  the  agonies 
of  difappointment,  charm  the  moft  elevated  and 
penetrating  mind  !  How  often  has  it  adminiftered 
courage  to  the  hero,  eloquence  to  the  fcnator, 
and  how  equally  do  the  monarch  and  the  peafant 
court  it,  as  a  relaxation  from  their  toils  !  The 
tender  interview  of  He6lor  with  Andromache, 
immortalized  by  Homer,  and  the  modeft,  timid 
flirinking  of  Allyanax  from  his  helmit,  are  plea- 
fures  which  the  purefl  virtue  may  acknowledge 
for  her  own,  and  which  the  greiiteA:  Scholars, 
Cienerals  or  Politicians  need  not  bluHi  to  accept 
as  a  recompence  for  their  fatigues  !  How  pleafing 
to  rclign  the  fceptj'e  and  the  laurel  for  the  foft- 
ncfles  of  fuch  an  intimacy,  the  carefles  of  fuch  a 
friend  ;  and  to  forget,  in  the  afFeiftions  of  a  vir- 
tuous woman,  tumults,  conlli(Sts,  difappointment, 
and  the  world  ! 

But  let  not  fancy  dream  over  all  the  blifs  of 
fuch  a  fccne,  to  be  awakened  only  in  diHippoint- 
ment.  The  prcfvnt  education  of  women  blafts 
this  profpe61,  and  deftroys  fuch  an  hope.  Senli- 
ble  men,  if  they  be  determined  to  form  this  con- 
nexion, muft  do  it  often  to  a  difadvantage.  They 
muft,  in  general,  marry  females  merely.  They 
muft  not  always  expedl,  in  them,  aflociates  or 
friends.  The  union  of  knowledge  and  talents 
with  frivolouinefs  and  infipidity,  cannot  be  agree- 
able. What  is  not  agreeable,  will  not  be  lalling. 
The  heart  can  feel  no  durable  attachment,  where 
it  knows  no  efleem.  Without  the  fccrct  concur- 
rence of  the  heart,  there  cannot  be  enjoyment. 
Marriage  is  notldngmore  than  a  bare,  ceremoni- 
ous union  of  hands.  Tiiis  feeming  paradife  of 
fweets,  will  roughen,  as  we  approach  it,  into  a 
wildernefsof  thorns.  The  fenlcs  are  foon  palled. 
Dii'guft  fucceeds  to  fatiety  ;  quarrels  to  difguft  ; 
where  the  loul  has  no  frclh  graces  to  expand,  and 


FEMALE       EDUCATION.  5I 

there  remain  no  new  and  unexplored  treafures  in 
the  underftanding. 

Though  this  fubjecl  is  of  To  immenfe  a  magni- 
tude, and  fo  intimately  conne<5led  with  the  iirft 
and  deareft  interefts  of  fociety,  as  to  deferve  the 
attention  of  any  monarch  or  legillator  in  the 
world  ;  yet,  in  a  free  and  opulent  country  like 
our  own,  where  education  cannot  be  made  a  pub- 
lic concern,  and  where  any  particular  ediiSls  of  a 
prince  would  be  efteemed  a  grofs  infringement  on 
tiie  liberty  of  the  fubje^St,  it  is  only  in  the  power 
of  parents  or  guardians  to  remove  or  palliate  fo 
malignant  an  evil.  If  there  be  a  fpecijick,  it  is  a 
better  and  a  more  rational  education  of  women  ; 
and,  if  that  education  is  to  be  better  and  more 
rational^  it  mufl:  not  be  left  to  a  vain,  a  fuperiicial 
or  mercenary  governefs,  but  planned  by  the  wif- 
dom,  and  executed  by  the  zeal  and  affection  of 
thofe  mothers,  who  under  providence,  have  given 
them  exiftence. 

If  we  confider  the  exquifite  pleafure,  which 
Nature  has  annexed,  in  every  creature,  to  an 
early  care  and  protedion  of  its  offspring,  it  is 
amazing  that  they,  who  are  dignified  with  the 
human  form  and  the  privilege  of  underftandin;  , 
fhould  form  the  only  melancholy  exception,  by 
appearing  wholly  infcnfible  to,  or  not  driving  to 
enjoy  it  -,  that  woman,  who  lays  claim  to  an  ex- 
quifite fenfibility,  can  tamely  give  her  child,  from 
the  moment  of  its  birth,  into  the  bofom  of  an 
illiberal,  low,  or,  perhaps,  a  difeafed  nurfe,  to  im- 
bibe at  once,  in  her  corrupted  milk,  the  unhappy 
peculiarities  of  her  mind  and  conftitution  !  But 
how  much  more  wonderful  is  it,  and  melancholy 
ilill,  that  llie  can  be  contented  with  barely  afford- 
ing exiftence  to  a  girl,  and  afterwards  refign  her 
to  the  frippery,  the  pride  and  nonfenfe  of  a  oub- 
F2 


52  STRICTURES       ON 

lie  fchool,  regardlcfs  of  her  early  morals  and  im- 
preflions,  whilll  (he  is  feeking  for  herfelf  an  ar- 
iificial  enjoyment  in  the  glitter  of  gaiety,  in  the 
tumult  of  pleafure,  or  the  intoxicating  fumes  of 
public  admiration. 

Though  fafhion  may  fanclify  fuch  a  fcandalous 
inattention,  that  fhe  may  limit  the  horizon  of 
good  and  evil,  of  virtue  and  of  vice  by  the  ap- 
plaufes  or  the  ccnfures,  by  the  cuftoms  and  extra- 
vagancies of  a  licentious  age,  yet  the  moment  is 
at  hand,  when  flie  muft  think  that  a  daughter, 
ftepping  into  a  world  of  fedudtion  and  of  fnares, 
needed  every  falutary  caution,  and  every  prudent 
admonition;  that  a  woman,  formed  to  be  the 
millrefs  of  a  family,  fhould  have  had  her  accom- 
plifliments  mixed  \\\\.\\  Jubjtantial  qualilies  and  do- 
mejiic  aiientidu ;  that  a  woman  expofed,  from  the 
nature  of  her  fex,  to  frequent  ficknefTes,  furrows 
and  misfortunes,  would  have  wanted  the  powerful 
balm  of  religion  to  alleviate  and  heal ;  that  woman 
formed  to  be  an  help  meet  for  the  man,  the  par- 
taker of  his  fortune,  as  the  fharer  of  his  bed, 
fhould  have  cultivated  an  ability  for  rational 
knowledge  and  amufing  converfation  ;  and  (what 
is  the  higheft  conlideration  of  all,)  that  a  woman, 
born  for  an  eternal  exiftence,  born  for  the  fociety 
of  glorified  fpirits,  and  the  enjoyment  of  God  in 
a  future  exiftence,  (hould  certainly  have  received 
fome  more  interefting  lectures  than  the  graces 
of  manner,  and  fludtuations  of  fafliion,  or  the 
trifling,  and  empty  ftudy  of  elegance  or  admira- 
tion. If  a  mother  can  think  that  there  is  not  only 
an  unnatural  indecency,  but  even  the  higheft 
criminality  in  the  negletSt  of  fuch  inftrudion,  Ihe 
has  yet  to  learn  what  are  the  firft,  initiary  prin- 
ciples of  nature  and  of  virtue,  and  perhaps  her 
av/akened  confcience  may  teach  them  at  a  time, 
when,  her  beauty  being  fhrivelled  with  the  wrin- 


FEMALE       EDUCATION.  53 

kles  of  age,  there  Is  no  fyren  voice  of  flattery  to 
bewitch,  and  repetition  has  made  all  the  circle  of 
her  pleafures  too  ftale  to  amufe  ! 

Why  indeed  had  woman  her  exiftence,  but  to 
dignify  and  ennoble  it  by  fuch  fuperior  employ- 
ments ?  When  does  flie  appear  to  fo  much  ad- 
vantage, as  when,  furrounded,  in  her  nurfery,  by 
k  train  of  prattlers,  fhe  is  holding  forth  the  moral 
page  for  the  inftruiStion  of  one,  and  pouring  out 
the  milk  of  health  to  invigorate  the  frame  and 
conftitution  of  another  ?  When  is  her  fnowy  bo- 
fom  half  fo  ferene,  or  when  thrills  it  with  fuch  an 
innocent  and  pleafing  rapture,  as  in  thefe  iilent 
moments  of  domeftic  attention,  or  thefe  attitudes" 
of  undilfembled  love  ?  What  painter,  wandering, 
with  a  creative  fancy,  over  all  the  exhaufllefs 
riches  of  nature,  can  give  us  fo  inchanting  and 
delightful  a  pitSture  in  fo  elegant  a  frame  ?  Whac 
pleafures  of  the  Levee^  the  Drawing  Room,  or 
Majquerade  can  vie,  in  flavour,  with  thefe  more 
retired,  maternal  fatisfa^Stions  ?  And  when  can 
woman  ever  be  faid  to  confiilt  the  real  dignity  and 
happinefs  of  her  fex,  but  when  flie  is  thus  con- 
fcientioufly  difcharging  her  duty  to  the  man,  to 
whom  fhe  has  plighted,  at  the  altar  of  her  God, 
her  vows  and  her  affciStions  ? 

Such  maternal  culture,  fuch  a  revolution  in  the 
fentiments  and  condu6t  of  that  fex,  would  be  at- 
tended with  the  happiefl  advantages.  An  altera- 
tion would  foon  be  viflble  on  the  face  of  fociety. 

If  the  minds  of  women  were  placed  upon  folid 
objedls,  by  a  judicious  and  early  culture,  they 
would  become  at  once  the  ornament  and  blefiing, 
as  noiA)  there  is  but  too  much  reafon  to  apprehend, 
that  they  are  only  the  bane  and  corrupters  of 
fociety.  Their  charms  would  be  the  ftimulating 
prize  of  valour,  merit,  underflanding.  Their 
^onverfation  would  be  a  foft,  but  powerful  fpur 

F3      • 


54  STRICTURES       ON 

to  every  noble  action;  and,  in  the'  intervals, 
\vhich  would  be  then  devoted  to  their  company, 
the  Ibul  would  be  acquiring  an  elafticity  and  a  vi- 
gour for  every  great  and  dignified  undertaking. 

Little  do  women  know  of  their  own  real  in- 
terefl,  if  they  do  not  think  themfelves  efTentially 
interefted  in  lupli  a  revolution.  They  would  then 
be  approached  with  efteem  and  veneration.  The 
frothinefs  of  compliment  would,  gradually,  be 
changed  into  the  language  of  truth.  Tlieir  em- 
pire over  our  hearts,  then,  founded  on  the  immu- 
table qualities  of  the  mind,  would  be  glorious  and 
permanent,  not  fubjedl  to  expire  in  the  wrinkles 
of  age,  or  wither  with  the  tranfient  rofes  of 
beauty.  Their  converfation  would  give  chearful- 
Befs  and  delicacy  of  fentiment ;  and  ours  would 
give  inftruftion.  There  would  be  a  gentle  con- 
fiidt  and  emulation  of  talents,  and  both  parties 
would  be  mutually  improved  by  the  mutual  col- 
lifion.  Their  friendfliip  would  be  courted,  and 
our  morals  would  be  improved.  In  the  refine- 
ment of  our  tafte,  we  ftiould  difdain  to  ftoop  'for 
pkafure  to  an  harlot ;  we  fhould  look  for  real  en- 
joyment with  women,  who  had  fentiment  and  u?i' 
derjlanding. 

We  fliould  dare  to  converfe  upon  rational  fub- 
jecfts,  and  they  would  liften  with  attention.  They 
would  not  expeft  that  extravagant  homage, 
which  fteals  our  time,  as  well  as  our  attention 
from  elevated  purfuits.  They  would  incite  us  to 
great  and  noble  atchievements  in  the  fenate  or 
the  camp,  in  fcience  and  the  arts  ;  and  their 
glory  would  confift  (as  it  always  fliould,)  in  fhar- 
ing  our  diftinflions.  The  petit  maitre  would 
dwindle  into  his  native  infignificance.  Without 
qualities  to  procure  the  efteem  of  one  fex,  this 
poor,  amphibious  animal  would  juftly  become  the 
derifion  of  the  other.     Marriage  would  be  more 


FEMALE       EDUCATION.  55 

frequent,  inviolate  and  facred,  not  checked  by 
extravagance,  not  difgraced  with  infidelity  or 
poifoned  with  diffipation.  Unimpaired  conlVituti- 
ons  would  produce  a  race  of  hardy  and  of  healthy 
children,  who,  in  time,  might  become  the  de- 
fenders of  their  country,  and  the  pillars  of  a  de- 
clining ftate.  Women  would  attain  to  that  golden 
age,  which  I  have  been  defcribing  ;  and  men, 
though  not  in  paradife,  would  have  delicious 
pleafures  fpread  round  their  retirements. 


^snssrraRS) 


Quis  autem  dicat  Naturam  maligne  cum  mulieribus  ingenils  cglfle, 
aut  virtutcs  illarum  in  artlum  rctraxiffo  ?  P:ir  illis,  niihi  crcde, 
vigor;  par  ad  lioncfta  (hbeat)  facukas  ell.  Laboiem  doiorcmque 
ex  aequo,  fi  confuevere,  patiuntur. 

Sen.  in  Conf.  ad  Marc, 

Who  can  fay  that  Nature  has  been  unkind  to  the  faculties  of  women, 
or  reftrained  their  virtues  within  narrow  limits  ?  They  have  (be- 
lieve me)  an  equal  vigour  with  ourfelves  and  an  equal  ability  for 
honourable  aftions.  Labour  and  forrow,  if  excrciied  with  them, 
they  bear  with  equal  fortitude  and  refolutioa. 


To  how  no  more 


Is  woman's  liappiejl  knowledge,  and  her  praife. 

Mil.  Par.  Lost. 


T. 


H  E  nature  of  my  undertaking  calls  for  fome 
reflexions  on  the  quality,  the  degree  and  extent 
of  female  talents.  And  this  will  involve  me  in 
the  hackneyed  comparil<)n,  which  has  fo  fre- 
quently been  made,  betwixt  the  natural  endow- 
Bf^cnts  and  underftanding  of  the  different  fexes — • 


56  STRICTURES       ON 

an  enquiry,  which  though  it  has  agitated  the  cu- 
riofity,  and  employed  the  pens  of  fo  many  inge- 
nious writers,  does  not  fecra  to  have  been  purfued 
with  that  difintereftednefs  and  candour,  which 
had  fo  much  in  contemplation  the  difcovery  of 
truth,  as  the  fupporting  of  a  fyftem. 

The  talents  of  women  have  been  degraded  by 
fome  to  an  unreafonable  ebb  of  feeblenefs  and  fri- 
volity, and  exalted  by  others  to  as  unnatural  an 
eminence  of  brilliancy  and  diflinftion.  In  the 
ages  immediately  fucceeding  thofe  of  Chivalry,  it 
was  faJlAonahle  to  fpeak  of  women,  as  of  prodigies 
in  fcience,  and  to  decorate,  with  equally  lavifh 
encomiums,  their  underftanding  and  their  charmsr. 
Nor  was  this  tafte  confined  merely  to  individuals. 
Even  nations  have  been  as  *  proud  of  producing 
a  lift  of  literary  heroines,  as  of  tracing  their  an- 
tiquity from  the  remoteft  ages  or  their  origin 
from  kings. 

Intereft,  policy,  or  fafliion  have  continued 
what  enthufiafm  thus  began. 

Authors,  who  have  wiftied  to  ftand  well  with 
the  fex,  to  lie  upon  the  toilet,  to  be  diftinguifhed 
with  their  favours,  and  to  acquire  the  reputation 
of  gallantry  and  tafte,  have  Supported  the  fame 
fulfome  panegyrics.  A  rational  enquirer  has  only 
to  obferve,  that,  if  ftich  extraordinary  womea 
ever  ^/Wexift,  they  were  only  a  kind  of  phenomena 
in  their  horizon,  and  neither  prove  the  general 
ftate  of  female  talents,  nor  the  general  fuperiority 
of  female  underftanding.  From  the  foot  of  an 
Hercules,  there  is  no  deducing  the  \x.{\}i2\  Jlature 
and  proportions  of  a  man.  The  Alps  would  give 
a  moft  improper  idea  of  the  commoo  mountains 
and  fcenery  of  nature. 

*  See  Feyjoo's  vindication  of  women,  tranflated  from  the  Spanifh, 
by  J.  Brett,  £fq;  in  which  is  given  a  lift  of  females  diftinguifhed 
with  every  fpecics  of  knowledge,  and  graced  with  all  the  polite  ac« 

•ojr^plilhmeQts. 


FEMALE       EDUCATION.  57 

Though  I  am  privately  convinced  of  the  abfur- 
dity  of  this  comparifon  betwixt  the  talents  of  the 
fexes  ;  though  I  conceive  it  to  be  more  a  matter 
of  curiofity  than  ufe,  more  calculated  to  amufc 
or  difplay  ingenuity  than  to  ferve  the  caufe  of 
fcience  or  of  truth,  yet  philofophers  have  conde- 
fcended  to  enter  into  it  with  fo  much  minutenefs, 
and  to  enlarge  upon  it  with  fo  nice  a  difcrimina- 
tion,  as  to  have  rendered  it  a  plaufible,  and  to 
the  general  defign  of  this  work,  fomething  of  a 
neceflary  and  an  eflential  inveftigation.  They 
have  difle(Sled  the  peculiar  Grganization  of  women 
to  difcover  the  moft  latent  llamina  of  talents,  or 
the  phy ileal,  unhappy  caufes  which  obdrufSled 
their  exiltence.  From  the  fize,  formation,  tem- 
perature and  quality  of  tlieir  brain,  *  Ariftotle, 
Alniaricus,  ^lalebranche,  and  many  others  have 
reafoned  to  their  particular  degree  of  capacity 
and  underfranding  ;  but  whoever  has  read  their 
obfervations  muft  allow,  that  fuch  a  fpecies  of 
refearch  is  but  laborious  trifling,  from  which  no 
certain  inferences  can  be  drawn,  and  no  folid  or 
rational  improvements  can  be  repeated. 

It  may  be  fuppofed  with  great  probability  and 
fairnefs,  that  their  very  outward  frame  is  marked 
with  the  phyftcal  inferiority.  It  appears  not  to  be 
calculated  for  fuch  efforts  of  thinking,  as  the 
more  abftra^ed  fciences  require,  and  which  entail 
on  the  moft  robuft  confUtution  even  of  men,  lan- 
gour  and  difeafe.  The  delicacy  of  the  cverlafling 
pea,  which  fo  happily  unites  elegance  with  fweet- 
nefs,  would  be  eafily  opprelTed.  The  tender  plant, 
which  is  refreilied  with  gentle  gales,  would  be  en- 
tirely overwhelmed  or  exterminated  by  a  whirl- 
wind. Providence  always  wife,  and  always  bene- 
volent, has  adapted  the  frame   and  organization 

*  Arift.  ^.  5.  Qu«ft.  26.  Macrob.  Saturn.  Lib.  7. 


^8  STRICTURES       ON 

to  their  burdens.  Where  robuftncfs  Is  denied, 
vigorous  and  athletic  excrcifes  are  not  expelled. 
Principles  oi  analogy  2ive,  favourable  to  my  argu- 
ment. Obfervations  on  the  brute  creation  con- 
firm It. 

*  Amongll:  birds,  hearts,  infecHiS,  animals  in 
general,  the  males  arc  obferved  to  have  greater 
ftrength,  courage,  vigour,  enterprize ;  females, 
fuperior  beauty  of  plumage,  form,  proportion, 
more  delicacy  and  foftnefs,  but  withal  an  higher 
degree  of  timidity  and  weaknefs.  The  great  God 
of  nature  is  thus  uniform  in  all  his  plans  and  in 
all  his  operations.  Superiority,  for  the  fake  of 
order  and  proteflion,  muft  be  Xodgtd  fotncwhere. 
And  it  fcems  providential ly^  lodged  in  the  males. 
But  let  us  not  take  up  with  this  prefumptive  rea- 
fonlng.  Let  us  rather  have  recourfe  to  experienec 
and  facts. 

There  are  but  two  points  of  view,  from  which 
we  can  fee  this  fubje<St,  or  purfue  the  comparifon 
with  fairnefs  and  prechion.  Culture  makes  fo 
great  a  difference  in  favour  of  our  fex,  that,  to 
difcover  the  precife  bounties  of  nature  to  each, 
we  muft  compare  a  boy  and  girl,  at  the  age  of  fix 
or  feven  :  or  we  muft  look  into  fome  favage  coun- 
tries, where  both  are  In  ihtw  primitive  ftate  of 
rudenefs  without  knowledge  or  inftru6tion.  At 
this  age,  in  point  of  quicknefs,  docility  and  Imi- 
tation, females  may  be  pronounced  to  have  the 
advantage.  But  this  is,  by  no  means,  any  ade- 
quate proof  of  their  general  fuperiority.  Poftibly 
the  profounder  thoughtfulneis  of  the  boy  may 
obftrucl  the  more  brilliant  and  fliowy  exertions. 
It  is  not  the  moft  folid  bodies,  that  fparkle  moft 
in  coUiiion.  Gold  does  not  glitter  half  fo  much 
astinfel.    The  louring,  heavy  cloud  involves  more 

♦  Buffon's  Hiftoire  Naturclle.  Chap,  concerning  the  varieties  of 
the  human  fpccies. 


FEMALE       EDUCATION.  5^ 

moifture,  than  is  contained  in  the  gl'ijlening  dew- 
drops  of  the  morning. 

The  conceptions  of  a  girl,  inflantancous  as 
lightning,  aftonifh  and  furpiife.  She  int^refts  us 
by  the  Hvelinefs  with  which  (he  enters  into  all  our 
inftructions.  Her  fancy  gives  a  pkafing  hue  to 
every  image  flie  receives,  and  reflcBs  it  with  ad- 
vantage j  nor  does  human  life  afford  a  more  agree- 
able employment,  than  carefully  to  tend  the 
beauties  of  this  opening  flower,  and  lliow  them 
in  perfe<flion.  Pitiable  is  the  mother,  who  knows 
not,  that  fuch  an  office  has  fweets  beyond  the 
giddinefs  of  pleafurey  the  incenfe  of  ^^w/r^/zo;;,  and 
the  ejjetice  of  perfumes. 

At  the  fame  time,  the  very  nature  of  thefe  qua- 
lities precludes  that  fuperiority  of  ftrong  judg- 
ment and  of  nice  difcnmination^  which  are  the 
more  peculiar  prerogative  of  men.  Vivacity  is 
unfavourable  to  profound  thinking  and  accurate 
invefligation.  And  yet  it  is  profound  thinking 
and  accurate  inveftigation,  which  carry  all  know- 
ledge and  all  literary  improvements  to  their  zenith 
of  perfecftion.  Even  men,  who  are  gifted  with  a 
fine  imagination,  and  the  more  lively  talents,  are 
frequently  obferved  to  be,  proportionably,  defec- 
tive in  X.\\t  fuhflantiaL  Whilft  they  cultivate  the 
charms  of  poetry,  or  the  polite  arts,  they  have 
not  extenfion,  fubtilty,  or  comprehenllvenefs  of 
mind  enough  for  more  fevere  and  abftra^led  fpe- 
culations.  *     The  union  of  a  warm  and  vigorous 

*  Amongfl;  the  ancients,  Homer  Hands  unrivalled  as  a  genius,  wh© 
united  all  the  fertility  of  invention  with  the  moft  corred  and  regu- 
lated judgment,  Virgil  had  an  cxquifite  tafte,  but  not  equal  origina- 
lity. Milton,  if  we  confider  the  peculiar  difficulties  ol  his  fubj  £t, 
pofTcfrcd  both  ihcfe  faculties  in  a  very  wondeifuldcgicc  of  perfe6Unn. 
Ilis  imagination,  however,  prtdominated  over  the  other.  Shakcf- 
peare  with  his  artoniihing  imagination,  fomctimcs  erred  iil  judgment, 
but  was  it  not  by  way  ot  acccjmmodalion  to  the  popular  tafle  ?  The 
comparifon,  in  point  of  genius,  betwixt  Cicero  and  Demofthenc« 
W'ill,  probably,  lie  in  favour  of  tke  latter.     He  had   more  of  liiwt 


(Jo  STRICTURES       ON 

imagination,  with  a  very  found  and  difcriminating 
judgment,  is  rare  indeed.  Nature  has  conferred 
fo  rich  a  fortune  on  few  of  her  children.  Her  fa- 
vours are,  in  general,  difpcnfed  with  a  nicer  equa- 
lity, and  with  a  feeming  parlimony  to  Individuals, 
that  has  gcntroufly  had  in  contemplation,  the 
portioning  ot  all.  Infime  iniiances,  indeed,  they 
have  been  blended,  and  they  have  worked  miracles. 
The  fire  of  JEtna  has  boiled  up  in  the  cold  and 
chilling  regions  of  the  North, 

*  Savage  countries  do  not  invalidate,  but 
flrengthen  this  opinion.  There,  in  general,  wo- 
men appear  to  have  the  advantage  over  the  other 
fex,  becaufe  nature  difplays  the  lively,  andbecaufe 
the  fubftantial  endowments  of  the  mind  are  not 
unfolded  by  culture,  or  roufed  by  emulation. 

But  there  feems  to  be  an  error  and  abfurdity  in 
making  the  comparifon.  The  fexes  were  provident 
tially  formed  as  counterparts  of  one  another. 
They  have   each   of  them  abilities   fuited  to  thc# 

true,  atlherial  fire,  which  peculiarly  defcrves  the  name,  though  the 
latter  yields  not  to  him  in  point  of  tafte  or  correftnefs. 

Amongft  the  French,  Rouffeau  had  an  ardent,  but  ungoverncd 
fancy :  Originality  was  his  Jorte^  but  its  fallies  were  wonderfully 
wild  and  eccentric.  Voltaire,  on  the  other  hand,  had  more  tafte, 
than  fancy.  Ariofto's  imagination  was  fupcrior  to  his  judgment. 
Tallo  abounds  with  tinfcl,  which  wants  the  pruning  alliftance  of  a 
fober  judgment,  and  a  correfted  talle.  Though  the  philofophy  of 
Sir  Ifaac  Newton  had  been  previoufly  fkctched  out  by  the  all-com- 
prehenfive  mind  of  Bacon,  liill  he  made  fuch  amazing  improvements 
in  it,  as  to  beintitled  to  the  praile  of  a  firft  rate  genius,  and  ceitainly 
united  both  the  eflential  qualities  of  the  charader  in  a  ftupcndous 
degree.  Mr,  Locke's  invention  cannot  be  doubted,  and  little  cenfurc, 
I  tnuik,  can  lie  againft  his  judgment. 

Amongll  painters,  Correggio  excelled  more  in  colouring,  tkan 
defign  ;  he  had  greater  judgment,  than  imagination.  Rubens,  oh 
the  otijcr  hand,  had  more  invention  than  judgment.  Michael  Angclo 
had  great  invention,  but  fomctimes  erred  againit  propriety  in  talle. 
Raphael  fecms  to  have  uniicd  all  thediilinguil>iing  qualities  of  genius 
in  his  proteilion.  But  paiallels  wouM  be  cndlefs,  and  thefc  example* 
aieonly  produced  lo  (how,  how  rarely,  even  in  the  gieaiefl  men, 
tncfe  leparaie,  and,  fecnviu^ly,  oil'coitijir  evcciLncies  arc  uni.cd. 
*  BuHok's  Hill.  Nat. 


F    E    M  A  L    II       E   I»    U   C  A    r    1    O   N.  6l 

fplierc  in  which  an  all-wife  Providence  intended 
them  to  move  ;  but,  as  that  differs  ejfcnilallj  in 
the  two  fexes,  fo  *'  likewife  does  the  nature  of 
their  facuUies,  and  the  texture  of  their  under- 
ftanding.  Who  would  think  of  contrafling  the 
oak  with  the  willow,  or  a  myrtle  with  the  delicate 
and  almoft  tratifpareut  balfam  ?  Who  would  com- 
pare the  abilities  of  an  Archin:edes  with  thofe  of 
an  -j-  Addilbn  ?  Their  merits  were  wholly  oppofitc 
in  their  cad  *,  yet  merits  they  h'Jh  had,  and  which 
have  challenged  the  univerfal  admiration  of  the 
world,  and  to  which  the  very  lateft  pofterity  muft 
bear  an  ample  tribute  of  applaufe. 

Let  us,  however,  look  more  nearly  at  the  con- 
traft.  Vfomen  tlien  have  a  more  brilliant  fancy, 
a  quicker  apprehenfion,  and  a  more  exquidte  tafte. 
When  they  apply  their  faculties  to  their  proper 
ftudies,  how  wonderfully  do  they  charm,  and  how 
poignantly  do  they  delight  !     In   works  that  re» 

t 

*  Arift.  de  Ilift.  Anim.  Cap.   i. 

Ill  omnibus  vero,  quorum  procreatio  eft,  fceminam  et  marcm, 
fimiii  fere  modo,  natsra  diftinxit  nioribas,  quibus  mas  divert  a 
fceraina,  quod  priecipue  turn  in  homine,  turn  eiiam  in  iis,  qiac  mag- 
niiudine  praetlant,  et  quadrupcdes  viviparc  funt,  pcrcipitur  ;  iuut 
enim  focmina;  moribus  mollioribns,  milefcunt  celerius,  et  maluia 
facilius  patiunlur;   difcunt  etiam  imilan  turque  ingcniofius. 

f  It  is  always  bold  and  invidious  to  appreciate  ti.e  fcparatc  merits 
of  different  wiitcrs.  Yet  no  one,  I  truit,  need  be  o fended,  when 
I  fay,  tliatfor  real  ufcfulncrs,  for  promoiin^  theintcrells  of  morality 
and  virtue,  for  laughing  ablurdity  and  affectation  out  of  counteiiunce, 
and  for  fixinc;  the  true  ffandard  of  delicacy  in  Icniirnent,  and  pro- 
priety in  lafte,  the  Britifn  nation  owes  an  eternal  obligation  to  the 
very  elegant  labours  of  Addifon.  I  would  rather  be  .Author  of  the 
Speftator,  than  of  almoft  all  the  laboured  fyftcins  of  Phyfics  or  Mc- 
taphyfics,  that  ever  made  their  appearance  in  the  world. 

Whenever  1  have  been  reading  a-.iy  of  this  excellent  writer's  Satur- 
day's papers,  I  always  regret  t'nat  Dr.  Johnfon's  criticifms  on  him 
ever  fell  in  my  way,  I  feel  myfclf  relutlant  in  fuppofing,  that  he 
inherited  the  little  foiblci  of  humanity,  and  tliat  literary  envy,  jca- 
loufy,  or  ambition  had  any  footing  in  a  breaR,  that  iceins  fo  much 
txpaiidc-l  witii  the  noblell  icntuntius,  and  clevaicd  with  thefubiimcit 
l.iiclilalions. 


6Z  STRICTURES       OM 

quire  the  cflbrts  of  Imagination  only,  how  ani- 
mated and  defcriptivc  is  a  woman's  pen  !  What 
pictures  docs  Hi^*  exhibit  !  How  fort  are  the  tint?, 
how  glowing  arc  the  colours,  and  how  imnallioned 
the  touches  of  her  pjncil  ! 

But  v/hcthcr  it  arifcs  from  an  original  dth^  in 
their  frame  and  conftitution — whether  it  is  that 
unquiet  Imagination  and  ever  refllefs  fenfibility 
afford  not  opportunity  or  leifurc  enough  for  deep 
meditation,  it  is  very  certain,  that  tht-y  cannot, 
like  the  men,  arrange,  combine,  abllra^t,  purfuc 
and  diverfify  a  long  train  of  ideas,  r.nd  in  every 
thing  that  requires  the  more  fubjlantial  talents, 
muft  fubmit  to  a  ftrong  and  a  marked  inferiority. 
The  truth  is,  that  relHeffncfs  of  fenlibility,  and 
that  inquietude  of  Imagination,  which  debar  the 
pofllbility  of  great  attainments,  were  providen- 
tially defigned  to  compofe  the  very  life  and  eflence 
of  their  graces.  They  are  the  very  medium  by 
which  they  pleafe.  If  they  were  conftituted  to^ 
have  dM'c firnmefs  and  our  depth,  they  would  want 
their  native  and  their  ftrongeft  attractions.  They 
would  ceafe  to  be  ivovieu,  and  they  would  ceafe  to 
charm. 

It  may  be  faid,  that  judgment  is  principally 
farmed  by  comparifon  and  obfervation  -,  and  that 
the  weaknefs  of  theirs  arifes  from  their  want  of 
opportunities  to  improve  it ;  the  referve  of  their 
fex,  their  domcftic  duties,  and  fedentary  life 
chiefly  confining  them  to  a  very  narrow  circle, 
v/hilft  bufinefs,  ambition,  curiofity  or  pleafure, 
lead  us  into  the  world,  to  fee  various  countries, 
manner^,  cuftoms  ;  to  hear  in  different  coffee- 
houfes,  clubs  and  focieties,  the  fentiments  of  all 
ranks  and  denominations  of  people,  and  to  wit- 
nefs  characters  of  every  kind  and  magnitude,  of 
every  different  lliade,  and  every  oppofitc  com- 
plexion.    This  is  all  in  fome  meafure  true,     btiil 


FEMALE       EDUCATION.  63 

it  docs  not  account  for  that  original  difference  be- 
twixt tlie  intellecfis  of  man  and  woman,  which  is 
difcoverable  at  an  c.wly  period  of  life,  for  that 
palpable  oppofition  of  the  thoughtful  to  the  llvclyj^ 
of  ih.Q Jinn  to  the  delit-att',  and  of  the profoundj  to 
the  chearing,  which  nature  feems  indujlrioujly^  to 
have  made  chara^eriftic  of  the  fexes. 

I  would  alk  the  warmeft  panegyrift  of  women, 
v/hether  he  can  fancy  that  there  ever  exiltcd  cfie 
in  the  world,  who,  with  the  utmoft  flrength  and 
cultivation  of  her  mind,  could  have  purfued  fuch 
n  train  of  thinking  as  a  Locke,  could  have  com- 
bined with  a  Montefquieu,  arranged  like  an  Eu- 
clid, or  fcrutinized  the  fccrcts  of  nature  like  a 
Newton.  It  is  true  I  have  mentioned  only  prodi^ 
g'les  of  men.  It  is  true  that  nature,  by  extraor- 
dinary efforts  in  the  production  of  luch  charac- 
ters, feems  to  have  exhaufted  for  a  confiderable 
time,  all  her  riches  and  her  powers.  The  queHion, 
likewife,  it  may  be  urged,  will  always  be  unfiir, 
till  women  have  enjoyed  equal  advants^^s,  and 
been  called  forth,  by  limilar  encouragements,  into 
literary  greatnefs.  But  dropping  all  the  fubLihieG 
of  argument,  and  rcafoning  only  fi-om  what  ap- 
pear the  original  ftamina  in  the  minds  of  both.,  t 
^•;^,^  g3nceive  it  to  be  a  queftion,  which  every  man's 
•^*f'  tbnvidtions  and  private  obfervations  will  anfwer  in 
tlie  negative,  whatever  tendernefs  to  the  fex  may 
lead  him  to  affecl^  or  delicacy  to  conceal. 

But  here  again  comes  in  falfe  panegyric.  Wo- 
men have  been  defcribed  with  every  talent,  that 
does  honour  to  humanity.     Illuflrious  '■*  Queens, 

*  Scmiramis,  the  two  Afpafias,  Elizabetli  of  England,  Ca'hailiie 
of  Medici,  who  is  faid  to  have  difpcllcd  the  fears,  and  vanquiilicd 
the  fioth  of  Ferdinand  ;  Margaret  of  Denmark  in  the  14th  century, 
the  Amazons,  Catharine  of  Ruflia,  Semlramis,  Artemifia,  Thomvris, 
Zenobiaj  the  Maid  of  Orleans,  &<:. 

G2 


44  STRICTURES       ON 

Politicians,   Heroines,  glitter  in  the  hifloric  page. 
Some  women  have  encountered  the  abftrufenefs  * 

To  deliberate,  in  public,  on  national  concerns,  was  a  privilege 
fommon  lo  women,  in  all  the  Gothic  and  Celtic  tribes.  Plut.  dcVir. 
mulier. 

In  fomc  parts  of  America,  at  this  vet  \  hour,  they  are  called  to 
the  national  meetings,  to  give  their  advice  and  counlcl.  Chadcv. 
Jour.   Ilift    Let.    13.    18. 

In  the  days  of  Tacitus,  the  German  women  debated  in  the  afTem- 
Mits  of  their  tjibc&  The  ancient  Britons,  he  tells  us,  made  uu  ex- 
ception of  fcx,  with  refpeft  to  government.  Sec.     Vit.  Agric.  C    16. 

At  Sparta,  the  women  interfered  in  the  affairs  of  fiate,  md 
affumcd  a  fupeiioriiy  over  the  men.     It  was  fo  in\£{;ynt. 

Piinv  informs  us,  that  in  the  ifland  of  Mcroc,  they  rcigntd  fur 
many  fucccflive  ages. 

.Amorgfl  the  Lacedaemonians,  they  had  a  great  fliare  in  the  pcliii- 
rnl   government.     Arift,  Pol.  Lib.  2. 

In  the  ifldnd  of  Formofa,  they  exrrcifc  the  faccrdotal  furiflion. 
Les  frmmes  (fays  Charlevoix  of  the  Americans)  ont  la  principale 
au'oritc  chcz  tous  Its  peuples,  de  la  langue  Huronne,  ft  on  rn  ex- 
etj'C  It  Canton  Irorj-jois  d'  Onneyouth,  ou  elle  efl  alternative  cntre 
Ics  d<"ux.fexes.     Charlcv.  Jour.  Hifl.  L.  18. 

On  the  riibjti^  of  the  warlike  couraj^c  of  women,  fee  Hifl.  of  Amcr. 
I'v  ATr-r>nio  de  Herrera,  Vol.  3.  p.  170.  tranflaicd  by  Stevens.  D'Ok- 
Itan's  H;fl.  dcs  Rcvoiutioi-s  d'Efp?.jjnc,  Tom.  r. 

*  A  Spanifh  book,  intituled  El  Theatre  Critico,  has  produced  the 
following  itiilsnces  of  furprifing  literary  women  in  Spain  : 

Ann  do  Ccrvaton,  lady  of  the  bed-chamber  to  Quctn  l'Vrdin:rci 
the  Ca;hclic's  fccond  confnrt. 

I'^ibella  de  Joya,  in  the  fixtcenth  century,  preached  in  the  earhe- 
of  Darcclona,  and  folved  many  points,  in  the  books  of  the  fubtil 
Sco'us,  before  the  whol*^  college  of  cardinals. 

L')uifea  Si.i^ea  is  rtprcfented  as  miftrcfs  of  Latin,  Greek,  Hcb:ew, 
Arabic  and  Syriac. 

Olivia  Sabiico  de  Nantes  is  faid  to  kave  written  excellently  on 
phyHeal,  medical,  moral,  and  political  fubjefts. 

Sernarda  Ferreyra  is  defcribcd,  as  well  verfed  in  the  rhetoric, 
philorophy,  and  mathematics. 

Juana  Morella  is  faid  to  have  pofTcfTcd  a  profoimd  knowledge  of 
philofophy,  divinity  and  jurifprudcnce,  bcfidcs  fpcaking  fourteen 
different  languages. 

As  great  things  are  faid  of  fevrral  French  and  Italian  Ladies.  Sufan 
de  Habcrt ;  Maryde  Gourney,  correfponding  with  all  the  Cardinals, 
R'lchlieu,  Benlivoglu*,  Perron,  Francis,  and  the  mofl  fdinous  liicrari 
of  her  age.  Magdalene  Scuderi,  auihorcfs  of  fevcral  excellent  pocriis, 
honoured  with  anadnjifTion  into  all  the  academies,  in  1671  gaining 
the  French  AcadenwV  prize  of  eloquence,  bountifully  remembered 
in  the  will  of  CardinalMazaiin,  and  enjoying,  from  Louis  the  14th, 
a  conHdcrable  ]  enHon  for  life.  Anna  le  Fevre,  or  Madam  Qacier, 
•f  whofe  talents  it  is  unnccelFary  to  fpcak. 


FEMALE       EDUCATION.  6^ 

of  mathematics.  Others  have  lo\ed  to  wander  in 
the  hibyrinths  of  metaphyfics.  But  what  progrefs 
have  they  made  ?  Wliat  great  featb  have  they  at- 
chieved  ?  Let  cool  experience  anfwer  the  queftion. 
If  we  admit  that  fuch  defcriptions  have  not 
been  exaggerated  ;  if  we  could  fuppofe  that  we 
were  not  treading  npon  fairy  ground  (and  yet 
who  muft  not  have  this  doubt  ?)  have  any  of  thefe 
female  efforts  pleafed,  or  have  any  of  thefe  ufnin- 
tural  labours  gained  immortality  ?  Either  they 
never  exiftcd  at  all,  or  they  have  been  raifed  in- 
finitely beyond  the  bounds  of  probability  and 
truth. 

In  Italy,  Dorothea  Bucca  bad  a  Doftor's  degree  conferred  upon 
her  by  the  Univc!%-,  and  held  kfturcs  in  the  15th  century,  which 
were  greatly  fre^jaented. 

ifotta  Nogaiola,  born  at  Verona. 

Laura  Cercti,  a  native  of  BreTcia,  in  the  16th  century,  v/ho  taugiit 
philofophy  in  that  city,  at  the  giddy  age  of  eighteen. 

Caffandra  Fideli,  Catharine  de  Cibo,  Dutchcfsof  Camerino.  I.u- 
cretia  Helena  Cornaro,  born  in  the  year  1646. 

InGen-pany,  Anna  Maria  Schurma,  whoie  hiilory  is  fo  curijus  a.od 
cxtraardinary,  that  I  cannot  forbear  iranfcribing  fornc  pafl.igcs  of  it. 
In  her  Tixih  year  (fays  the  Author)  fhe  coald  cut  moll  delicait  figures 
in  paper,  without  any  teacher  or  pallcrn  ;  atcight,  fhc  in  a  fcv  days, 
learned  to  draw  and  colour  flowers  in  a  maflcrly  manner;  in  the 
tenth  year,  only  three  hours  prafitice  brought  her  to  an  admirable  de- 
licacy in  embroidery  ;  {he  was  periedtiy  acquainted  v/ith  the  German, 
Dutch,  Englifh,  French,  Italian,  Latin,  Greek,  Hebrev.,  liyridc, 
Chaldean,  Arabic,  and  the  Ethiopian  languages ;  and  her  poetical 
genius  has  left  feveral  monuments  (lill  much  eflcemed.  She  likewise 
iiandled  the  pencil,  chizcl  and  buiinwiih  great  dt-licacy;  &:c.  &c. 
Crcdat  JiidaL-us  Apella  !  ! 

In  Ireland,  Conftantia  Gricrfon,  who  died  in  the  year  1733,  ^^^ 
and  in  the  twcnty-feventh  year  of  her  age,  was  certainly,  a  prodigy  of 
talents,  Tiic  Greek  and  Latin  languages,  hi  dory,  divinity,  pliilofo- 
phy  and  mathematics  were  familiar  to  her.  Of  her  (kill  in  the  Latin 
tongue,  Ihe  gave  a  flriking  proof,  by  her  dediiation  of  tlie  Dublin 
Kdition  of  Tacitus  to  Lord  Caiteret,  and  by  that  of  Terence  10  his 
fon,  to  whom  flie,  likewifc,  wrote  a  Greek  Epigram.  See  en  account 
of  this  Lady  in  Mrs.  Bubcr's  poems. 

In  England,  Lady  Jane  Gray  was  undoubtedly  a  literary  pheno- 
menon. So  arc  fome  o'.hcrs  of  the  prcTcnt  day.  The  curious  reader 
will  meet  with  more  particulars  on  this  intcrefting  fubj.  ft,  by  con- 
fulting  Thickiicfle's  Sketches  of  the  lives  and  writings  of  froich 
Liidics. 

Q3 


66  STRICTURES       ON 

As  to  politics,  what  were   they,  at  any  of  the 
periods,  when  women  have   been   celebrated    for 
their  political   attainments  ?     Were  they  not   the 
petty  interefts  of  as  petty  a  territory,  whole  views 
and    wants   terminated  chiefly  in    itfelf,  without 
looking  to  any  other  quarter  of  the   globe  ?    Did 
they  ever  require  that  univerfal  penetration,  that 
comprehenfivenefs  of  refearch,  that  (Iretch  and  vi- 
gour of  thought,   that  wonderful  combination  of 
i'chemes  and  ideas,  that  retrofpedion  and  anticipa- 
tion, that  bringing  paft  and  prefent  into  one  com- 
mon  point  of  view,  which  the  immenfe,  ditfufive, 
complicated  concerns  of  large,  extended  kingdoms, 
at  the /r^;// period,  and  in   the   7?iodern   circum- 
ftances   of  Europe,    abfolutely  demand  ?     It    will 
follow  from  the  obfervations,  likcwife,  that  have 
been  already  made  in  this  effay,  that  women  are 
not  calculated  to  prefidc  over  kingdoms.     They 
were  not  formed  to  hold  the  reins  of  empire,  to  pe- 
netrate into  the  views  and  wants,  or  to  adjufi:  the 
various   and   complicated  interefts   of  confiicling 
iiates.     The  reign  of  queens  has,  generally,  been 
a  burlefque  upon  government,  the  tyranny  of  fome 
capricious  favourite,  whom   they  have   efpoufed, 
and  whofe  fentiments  they  have  adopted,  in  pro- 
portion as  tliey  have  admired  l\\s  per/on  or  addrefs. 
On  him  have  devolved  all  the  burdens  of  the  flate, 
and  to    him    iias  been  allotted  the  more   enviable 
u3ice  of  apportioning  the  royal  fmiles.     He   has 
been  the  real  pilot  of  the  veflcl,  whilil  the  woman 
he  has   governed  by  his  policy  or  his  attractions, 
has  fat,  in  ojlnifihle  majefty,  at  the  helm.     Befide 
the  political  greatnefs  of  thefe  Ladies  is  equivocal 
from    the    peculiar    circumflances    of    their  age. 
Amidil  a   race   of  pigmies,   a  perfon   of  cnlinary 
ftaturc  is  a  giant.     "When  times  are  ignorant  and 
barbarous,  common  knowledge   is  confidered  as  a 
prodigy.     The  Ruftic,  who  can  fpell  a  ncwfpaper. 


FEMALE       EDUCATION.  6  J 

IS  at  once,  the  fcholar  and  the  orac/e  of  his  village. 
The  ftar,  tliat  tvvinivles  in  a  dark  and  gloomy 
night,  is  welcomed  as  a  fun. 

Nor  let  the  fex  fuppofe  me  f  heir  accufer  or  their 
foe.  If  I  have  not  v.holly  wiflahcfi  the  method,  I 
mean  to  be  their  advocate  and  friend.  I  have  left 
them  the  feeds  of  every  thing,  that  pleafes  and 
captivates  in  V^'oman.  "Their  brows  were  not  in- 
tended to  be  ploughed  with  wrinkles,  nor  their 
innocent  gaiety  damped  by  abftra(5lion.  They 
were  perpetually  to  pleafe,  and  perpetually  to  en- 
liven. If  we  were  to  plan  the  edifice,  they  were 
to  furnifii  the  cmhel::jhrnents.  If  we  were  to  lay 
out  and  cultivate  the  garden,  tkey  were  beautifully 
\o  fringe  its  bordeis  with  flowers,  and  nil  it  with 
perfume.  If  we  were  defined  to  luptrinteud  the 
mmiagemait  of  kingdoms,  they  \Vere  to  be  the 
fairell  ornaments  of  thofe  kingdoms,  the  embel- 
lifhers  of  fociety,    and  the  fweeteners  of  life. 

If  we  confult  fcripture,  we  Ihall  difcover  that 
fuch  was  the  original  intention  of  heaven  in  the 
formation  of  the  iexes.  The  fcntence  of  fubor- 
dination  obviouily  implies,  that  man  fhould  have 
the  preeminence  on  fubjects,  that  require  extenlive 
knowledge,  courage,  ftrength,  a6livity,  talents  or 
laborious  application.  Women  were  not  formed 
for  political  eminence  or  literary  refinement.  The 
foftnefs  of  their  nature,  the  delicacy  of  their 
frame,  the  timidity  of  their  difpolition,  and  the 
modefty  of  their  fex,  abfolutely  difqualify  them 
for  fuch  dilliculties  and  exertions.  Their  deftiny 
of  bearing  and  nmfing  children,  the  neceffity  of 
fuperintending  domeflic  concerns,  and  the  pecu- 
liar difeafes,  to  which  they  are  liable,  leave  theni 
little  titi>e  for  fuch  public  undertakings,  whilft 
the  humble  oflices  in  which  they  are  engaged,  con- 
fer a  blefiing  ai>d  a  benefit  upon  fociety,  that  are 
infinitely  beyond   the  coldnefs  of  knowledge,  and, 


<58'  STRICTURES       ON 

the  apathy  of  fpeculation.  The  wife,  the  mother, 
and  the  oeconomiffc  of  a  family  would,  unfortu- 
nately, be  loft  in  the  literary  pedant ;  the  order 
of  nature  would  be  totally  reverfed,  and  the  po- 
pulation of  the  globe  prepolieroufly  facrificcd  to 
the  cold,  forbidding  pride  of  a  fludious  virginity. 
The  woman  of  the  clolfter  would  want  the  graces 
of  a  citizen  of  the  world.  In  that  ardour  of  un- 
derftanJing,  which  roufes  emulation,  flie  would 
lofe  that  foothing  manner,  which  conciliates  and 
endears.  The  world  would  be  deprived  of  its 
faireft  ornaments,  life  of  its  higheft  zcft,  and  man 
of  that  gentle  bofom,  on  which  he  can  recline 
amidft  the  toils  of  labour,  and  the  agonies  of  dif- 
appointment. 

So  far  as  the  qualities  of  the  hiart  are  con- 
cerned (and  this  has,  fometimes,  formed  a  part 
of  the  queftion,)  I  think  the  fcxes  will  not  bear 
a  comparifon.  Women,  in  this  refpect,  have 
every  claim  to  a  mT^r'ktd.  fuperioy'iiy.  If  their  re- 
tired, domeftic  life  did  not,  of  itfelf,  lead  to  more 
innocence  and  contemplation,  their  natural  d\{^0' 
fitions  are  certainly  more  favourable  to  piety  and 
virtue.  Their  ftrong  fenfe  of  weaknefs  prompts 
them  to  fupplicate  the  protection  and  affiftance  of 
a  fuperior,  invifible  power,  whilft  their  exquiiitc 
fenfibility  powerfully  difpofes  them  for  all  the 
energy  and  ardour  of  devotion. 

In  the  lift,  which  Scripture  has  given  us  of  con- 
verts to  Chriftianity,  in  the  very  early  ages,  we 
meet  with  holy  women,  not  a  few.  The  fathers 
of  the  Romifti  church  maintained  an  opinion, 
which  was  borrowed,  no  doubt,  from  clofe  obfer- 
vation,  that  the  number  of  glorified  females  in 
heaven,  would  exceed  that  of  men  ;  and  monaf- 
teries  can  produce  their  thoufands  of  this  fex,  who, 
impelled  by  an  holy,  though  mifguided  zeal,  have 
facrificed  beauty,  fortune,  friends  i    every  thing 


FEMALE       EDUCATION.  4f) 

that  could  charm  and  every  thing  that  could  en- 
gage, for  the  lonelinefs  of  a  convent  and  the  ri- 
gid aufterities  of  a  perpetual  devotion  ! 

It  has  been  faid  that  women  are  more  artfol, 
and  fond  of  fubterfuge  than  the  men,  and  per- 
liaps  there  may  be  fome  degree  of  juftice  and  au- 
thenticity in  the  obfervation.  But  does  not  this 
arife  from  the  juft  and  neceflary  jealoufy  they  en- 
tertain of  the  other  fex,  and  from  the  cruel  talk 
which  we  impofe  upon  them,  of  not  knowing 
whether,  in  the  guife  of  a  friend,  they  may  not 
meet  with  a  betrayer  and  a  foe  ?  If  a  woman  has 
not  referve  upon  many  occalions,  v/e  criminate  and 
defpife  her  ;  if  flie  has,  we  load  it  with  the  odious 
name  of  artifice  and  diffimulation.  In  fo  rigorous 
a  fyftem,  we  do  not  leave  her  \.\\q  pojjlbility  of  ef* 
caping  without  cenfure.  Either  fhe  is  called  s 
prudipj  hypocrite,  or  flie  is  called  indifcreet. 

If  we  carry  our  refearclies  through  the  whole 
creation,  we  (hall  find,  that,  as  any  creature  is 
deficient  in  (Irength,  it  is  always  furniflied  v/ith  a 
proportionate  fliare  of  art  and  contrivance  ;  and 
a  little  more  reflexion  will  ferve  to  convince  us, 
that  fuch  is  the  all-wife  appointment  of  the  Deity, 
and  that  thefe  inferior  qualities  are  abfolutely  ne- 
cefTary  to  its  exigence  and  prefervation. 

In  the  intercourfe  oF  I.ove,  which  forms  an 
effential  part  in  the  hillory  of  this  fex,  how  pow- 
erfully do  they  eclipfc  our  own,  and  wreft  a  palm 
of  triumph  from  the  men  !  If  a  woman  has  once 
a  proper  confidence  in  a  man's  fincerity,  how  ge- 
nerous is  her  breaft  !  Kow  noble  is  her  conduct  ! 
How  undifguifed  and  unbofomed  her  foui  I  How 
tender  is  her  friendfliip  I  How  ardent  and  how 
immoveable  is  her  afFcclion  !  Tlie  love  of  man,  in 
general,  has  m-M\y  foreign  ingredients  of  felfifhnefs 
or  vanity  in  its  compofition.  He  ajfcHs  to  love 
(perhaps,  perfuades  hiaifelf  he  loves,)  a  woman, 


TO  STRICTURES       ON 

whofe  connexions,  beauty,  faOiionablenefs,  eclai 
do  honour  to  his  choice,  or  wliofe  fortune  gives 
the  wideft  range  to  his  hopes,  or  opens  the  mort: 
"unlimited  profpects  to  his  ambition.  If  a  'unmjn 
loves,  it  is  the  man  himfelf.  She  has  but  this  one 
obje<^t  in  \ie\v,  and  it  cngyojfes  lier  foul.  Pride, 
ambition,  vanity,  diflblvc  into  tendernefr.,  and 
are  humbled  by  the  paffion.  She  rilks  friends, 
character,  forlune,  eafe,  for  the  fake  of  her  tdoL 
Jn  privacyy  flie  broods  over  tlie  beloved  image, 
and  if  mentioned  in  public,  flis  tinges  it  with 
bluHies.  This  man  is  become  her  Univerfe  ;  for 
him  alons  (lie  Jives  ;   with  him  fhe  would  die ! 

Let  this  favourite  be  called  by  bufinefs  or  plea- 
fure  into  fome  foreign  country,  her  days  are  me» 
lancholy,  her  nights  without  fleep  !  Life  is  infipid, 
and  her  foul  has  no  joy  !  Her  fancy  conjures  up  a 
thoufand  apprchenfions.  In  htv  few,  (lumbering 
moments  fne  dreams  of  his  danger,  and  (lie  ftarts, 
at  once  from  the  thought  and  repofe  I  Every  bil- 
low is  his  grave  !  Every  traveller  is  befmeared 
with  the  blood  of  the  endeared  abfont  !  How 
defpicable  is  the  villain,  who  can  betray  Co  much 
fondncfs  ;  how  infenfible  is  the  foul,  that  can 
laugh  at  fo  much  tendernefs;  and  how  execrable 
is  that  fafhion,  which  fubftitutes,  in  its  place,  the 
windings  of  art,   and  the  cokhu^ls  of  ail  eolation  I 

At  the  fame  time,  if  the  merit  of  virtue  is  to 
be  eftimated  (as  it  always  (hould,)  from  the 
ftrength,  or  weaknefs  of  the  determining  itto- 
fives,  how  much  fuperiar  is  v>'oman*s  !  The  love 
of  fame,  riches,  honour,  confequence,  give  birth 
to  almoft  all  the  great  atchievements  that  diftin- 
guilli  our  own  fex.  If  a  man  be  celebrated  for 
valour,  fcience,  enterprize,  he  is  received  into  all 
companies  with  eulogies.  His  Sovereign  applauds. 
''Theatres  welcome  him  witli  burfts  of  admiration. 
In  the  countenance  of  his  admiring  frienda,  he 


FEMALE       EDUCATION.  7 1 

continually  reads  his  glory  and  his  greatnefs  ;  and, 
when  he  dies,  hijiory  llieds  over  his  unperilhable 
memory,  an  immortal  perfume. 

Not  fo  with  women.  Their  virtues,  exercifed 
infclitiide^  and  Springing  purely  from  the  heart , 
make  no  noife,  and  court  no  obfervation.  La- 
viflied  chiefly  on  their  children  and  their  friends, 
they  blaze  not  on  the  world,  nor  are  they  thought 
of  dignity  or  confcquence  enough  to  embeililli  the 
recording  page. 

Still  let  not  thefe  degraded  fair  ones  defpond. 
Let  them  not  complai[i  of  their  humiliating  lot. 
Whilft  virtue,  tafte,  fenfibility  or  difcernment  re- 
main in  tlie  world,  they  will  always  have  an  high 
degree  of  influence  and  refpedt.  Their  rank, 
though  fubordinate,  is  not  unimportant.  The 
'fervices  they  do  fociety,  though  not  trumpeted  by 
fame,  are  recorded  by  gratitude,  and  graven  on 
the  heart ;  and  they  fhare  in  the  honour  and  dif- 
tindlions  of  the  men.  Their  influence  often  lends 
confiderable  aids  in  the  formation  of  thofe  cha- 
racters, which  hiflory  diftingui flies  with  its  un- 
dying honours.  Many  are  the  heroes  they  have 
routed  into  glory.  Innumerable  are  the  flatefmen 
they  have  ralfed,  by  their  fea'et  magic,  into  fame  5 
and  whenever  they  are  tempted  to  repine  at  the 
appearance  of  infigniflcance  and  inferiority,  it  be- 
comes them  to  remember,  that  their  greatefl: 
ftrength  lies  in  their  ivcakncfs^  their  commands  in 
their  *  tears  :  that  their  foftnefs  has  frequently 
difarmed  the  rage  of  emperors  and  tyrants  ;  that 

*  His  lacrymis  vitain  tlainus,  ct  mifcrefcimus  uliro.  Virg.  Muiierea 
urbcm,  quam  armis  viri  defendere  aon  poli'cnt,  precibus  lacrymifqiie 
dcfcndcrunt.     Liv.  Hift.  Rom. 

Mcmoria:  proditur,  quai'dam  acies  inclinatas  jam  et  labantcs,  a 
focminis  reftitutas  conflantia  precuin  ct  objeQu  pcftorum,  et  siionflrata 
comiiius  captivitate,  quatn  longe  impaticntius,  fcEiniiiarum  fuarum 
nomine,  timtnt.     Tacit,  de  Mor.  Germ.  C.  78. 

Stu.  View  of  Soc.  in  Europe,  p.  iSj 


72  S   T   R   I    C    r    VJ    E   R    S       ON 

their  blandiflimenis  have  a  Toothing  and  perfuafivc 
energy,  which  great  and  generous  fouls  are  feldoni 
able  to  refift  •,  that  their  charms  have  worked  tni» 
racks  in  every  a^c  and  nation,  and  brought  about 
the  mod  important  revolutions  of  the  world. 


Lcgimus  cpiftolas  Corncliae,  matiis  Gracchorura  :  apparct  cj'.is  filios, 
qui  cloquentia  iloiuerunt,  non  folum  in  gremio  matris  educators 
tuide,  led  etiarn  ab  ea  fcrmonis  flegantiam  haufifTe.  Maximum 
autem  matronis  ornamentum  tile  liberos  bene  inftitutos,  mcrito 
pu'«hat  fapieiuifTinia  ilia  mulicr.  Cutn  Campana  matrona,  apud 
illam  hofpi'.q,  ornamenta  fua,  quae  crant  illo  feculo  pretiofifTi.na 
oftcntarct  ei  muliebriter,  traxit  cam  Jermone,  quoufque  a  fdiola 
rcdircfU  liberi.  Qnos  rcvcrfos  hofpitac  exhibcns;  "  Et  haec,  inquit, 
ornamenta  mea  funt."  Qtiiut.  Lib.  i.  C.  i.  Cic.  in  Brut.  N.  2io. 
Val.  Lib.  4.  C.  4. 

S'.c  Corneliam,  Gracchorum,  fic  Aureliam  JuliiGaeG'.ris,  fic  Attiani, 
AugulU  rnairem   pra^fuiffe  educationibus  libcrorum   acccpimus. 

Dialogue  on  the  Decline  oj  Ltoqaence. 


J^  J[0  W  far  a  public  or  a  private  education  is 
molt  to  be  preferred,  is  an  enquiry,  that  has  agi- 
tated the  curiofity,  and  employed  the  pens  of 
many  diftinguiflied  writers  both  of  ancient  and 
modern  times.  From  the  days  of  Quintilian  to 
the  prefent  moment,  plaufible  things  have  been 
frequently  advanced  in  favour  of  bpth,  and  at- 
tacked with  as  many  and  forcible  objections. — 
Some,  indeed,  feem  to  have  undertaken  the  fub- 
je£t  only  from  a  partial,  fclfifli  principle  of  re- 
commending tlie  plan,  which  was  bed  accommo- 
dated to  iheir  o.vn   private  iiitcrells   or  p;!car!ar 


FEMALE       EDUCATION.  73 

fititat'ion,  and  notwithftanding  the  various  the- 
ories, that  have  prevailed,  the  general  opinian 
fcemSjCOiafiderably  unfixed  •,  at  leaO,both  fchemts 
are  itulifcruninately  adopted,  as  other,  collateral 
circumf>ances  of  fortune,  convenience,  connexion 
or  accident,  influence  and  direcSt. 

Without  entering  at  all  into  the  detail  of  the 
argument,  or  attempting  to  appreciate  the  fepa- 
rate  merits  of  the  different  reafoners,  a  fenfible 
mind  forms  this  conclufion,  that  aprivare  educa*- 
tion  is  more  favourable  to  morals^  that  young 
people  at  leaft  fhould  never  be  trufted  to  the  dan* 
gerous  infection  of  public  fchoolsj  till  principles 
and  even  habits  of  virtue  have  had  time  to  take, 
rooty  but  that  neither  a  private,  nor  public,  but 
an  education  uniting,  in  fome  degree,  the  advan- 
tages of  bothy  is  moil  eligible  for  thofe,  who  wilh 
their  children  to  be,  at  once,  pofTcfTed  of  talents 
and  of  virtues. 

But  every  thing,  in  fa£V,  that  can  be  oftered  on 
this  fubjeiSl:,  virill  be  only  vain  or  amufingy^^r///^- 
tiofiy  till  the  nation  is  difpofed  to  be  more  liberal 
in  rewarding  the  Inflru^Slors  of  our  youth. 

Whilft  an  exorbitant  profuiion,  and  extrava- 
gance of  expence,  in  almoft  all  other  cafes,  cha- 
ra(Slerize  the  kingdom,  the  education  of  children, 
though  an  objedl  of  the  higheff,  private  and  na^ 
tional  importance,  is  an  article,  which  we  treat 
with  the  moft  abjtci  and  ill-judged  parfimony,  ex« 
cept  only,  in  thofe  circumflances,  which  relate  to 
frivolcufnefsy  accomplijhmenis  or  conceit  to  a  dan- 
cing, a  muiic,  or  a  fencing  malter,  who  are  to 
teach  them  *  ^r^r^j-,  and  initiate  them  in  all  the 
petit  trifles  of  fafliionable  life. 

*  I  would  not  here  be  undcrftood,  as  intending  to  throw  a  ftjoma 
on  any  of  the  pleafinf;  qualiiies  or  accomplifhmcnts.  Though  "''tiic 
♦♦  Graces,  the  Grarcs,"  were  fo  perpetually  irumpeted  forth  from 
thc/r.yaffff  mouth  of  a  Chcftertield,  as  abfoiutely  to  have  ftunncd  our 

H 


74  STRICTURES       ON 

Circumftanced  as  we  are,  public  fchools  are  the 
only  poilible,  ^^;;rn// receptacle  for  the  education 
of  youth  ;  and,  as  we  pay  the  teachers,  in  order 
that  a  perlon  may  not  ilarvc  by  his  piofefTion, 
thefe  feminaries  muft  contain  fuch  numbers  of 
young  people,  as  it  is  impofllble  for  him  to  tend 
with  any  adequate  vigilance,  fo  as  either  to  know 
their  dijpoftticns  or  their  iahntsy  their  virtues  or 
their  vices. 

Hence  men  of  any  liberal  fentiments,  or  any 
decent  fortune  will  not  fubmit  to  tlie  humiliativg 
tafk.  Hence  (excepting  in  a  ^t\y  public  fchools, 
endowed  by  the  munificence  of  our  more  virtuous 
anceftors,  and  requiring  a  graduate  from  the  uni- 
verlities,)  mafters,  in  general,  are  but  poorly 
qualified  for  the  office  they  afTume  ;  and  hence  an 
employment,  in  itfelf  the  moft  elevated  and  ho- 
nourable of  all  others,  in  its  tendency  the  moft 
"ufeful  and  important  to  the  flate,  in  the  eye  of 
religion  and  of  enlightened  reafon,  requiring  the 
ftrongeft  union  of  goodnefs  and  of  talents,  and, 
in  the  founder  policy  of  the  ancients,  devolving 
only  on  the  moft  diftingulflied  and  unexception- 
able characters,  is  funk,  amongft  the  frivolous  and 
dijppaied  moderns,    into    confiderable    difrepute, 

ears;  yet,  wlien  properly  under ftood,  and  praftifcd  to  conciliate 
afTcftion,  they  have  not  loft  thfir  confequcnce,  they  may  be  made 
compatible  with  every  virtue,  and  fhould  not  be  neglcfted.  In  ge- 
neral, the  youth  at  public  fchools,  attend  too  little  to  them  ;  and, 
■whether  it  atifcs  from  the  ignorance  and  awkwardnefs  of  preceptors 
themfelvcs,  from  fo  many  boys  being  grouped  together  without  any  of 
the  fifter  fcx  to  temper  their  ferocity,  from  their  being  fo  wholly 
fwallowcd  up  with  the  fevcrer  {Indies,  that  they  have  little  Icifure  for 
mixing  in  good  company,  or  from  the  notion  of  an  cj/eminacy,  annexed 
in  all  claffic  writers,  to  thcf- lit/fc attentions — whatever  be  the  caufe, 
nothing  is  a  more  common  fight  than  the  union  of  an  excellent  C/<j//c, 
and  a  bujhful,  awku>ard  or  vncivil  clozvn  in  the  very  fame  perlon. 
Such  a  fptftjclc  degrades,  difhonours,  and  raises  prejudices  againft 
learning  ;  at  the  fame  time,  graces  arc  lurcly  but  an  inferior  and  fecon'. 
dary  conlidcration,  whilft  folid  improvcmeiit,  knowledge  and  virtue 
fhould  always  be  the  frji. 


FEMALE       EDUCATION.  75 

Tvliilfl  its  profeflbrs,  intituled  to  the  public  grati- 
tude, generally  meet  with  little  but  the  public  con- 
tempt. , 

Let  it  not  be  faid,  that  their  manners  have  de- 
ferved  it.  Let  it  not  be  urged  that  their  ignorance 
of  life  and  cuftoms,  their  rudenefs,  their  pedan- 
try, their  carrying  into  fociety,  the  imperioufnefs 
of  a  fchool,  and  expecting  indifcriminately  from 
the  people  they  converfe  with,  the  homage  paid 
by  pupils  to  their  defpotic  throne,  have  been  the 
real  caufe  of  fuch  an  odious  ftigma  thrown  upon 
their  order.  Though  the  conducting  of  a  fchool 
is  not  favourable  either  to  the  temper  or  the  man- 
ners, yet  a  pcrfon  of  r^W  education  and  good  fenfe, 
v^rill  generally  rife,  in  his  intervals  of  relaxation, 
above  fuch  little  difadvantages ;  but,  if  our  ava- 
rice forces  othtrs^  and  of  a  lower  caft,  into  this 
department,  it  is  our  avarice,  chiefly,  that  fhould 
be    blamed   for  their   foibles  and  rheir  defcds. 

With  regard  to  women,  I  do  not  know  that  this 
famous  queftion  about  a  public  or  a  private  edu- 
cation has  ever  been  agitated.  Indeed  it  is  not 
neceflary.  Though  fucii  parents,  as  think  of  be- 
ing generous  and  liberal,  feldom  fail  to  give  them 
the  firft,  yet  the  latter,  in  the  eftimate  of  fober 
reafon,  is  certainly  to  be  preferred  ;  and,  whatever 
elegant  or  high-founding  fchools  may  be  fought 
out  for  a  girl,  yet  a  mother  feems  the  only  gover- 
nefs,  intended   by  nature. 

Three  principal  advantages  of  public  fchools 
for  boys  are  J  ift.  That  they  cure  a  timid  bafli- 
fulnefs,  and  eftablifh  a  confidence,  fo  necellary 
for  any  public  charadter  or  employment ;  2dly, 
That  they  excite  a  proper  emulation  by  the  col- 
lifion  of  talents ;  and  3dly,  That  they  fofter  early, 
lafting  friendfhips,  fomctimes  of  a  powerful  kind, 
which  frequently  lead  the  way  to  worldly  honour 
2nd  advancement. 

H2 


76  STRICTURES       ON 

The  firft  of  thefe  effeds  will  not,  by  zjudrchus 
fiitnJ,  be  rca:icrubercd  to  women.  Confidence, 
jn  t/jt'w,  <*  is  an  horrid  bore  ;"  and  let  a  filly 
fafhion  fuggeft  what  it  will,  their  fweetcft  graces 
.ure  the  crimfoning  blujhf  and  the  retiring  timidity. 

As  to  Linulaiion,  there  arc  often  children 
tnough  ia  their  own  family,  or  in  the  circle  of 
I  heir  ncaitlt  a.cquaintance  to  communicate  the 
fpiiit  i'o  far  as  it  is  ucctjfary  or  ufeful  amongft 
liioie,  who  a>e  not  to  hold  the  reigns  of  govein- 
nient,  the  oiBccs  of  l\ate,  or  the  poft  of  a  com- 
mander, and  who  cannot  afpire  to  facred  great- 
ijtfs  in  the  honours  of  the  puiple. 

The  laft  effedt  is  fuperfeded,  likevvife,  by  the 
liaiiire  of  their  fex  ;  as  the  grand  promotion,  of 
wliich  they  are  capable,  is  a  dignihed  marriage, 
which  their  ^y^^r  acquaintance  are  not  capable  of 
conferring  ;  which  a  public  life  is  not  likely  to 
cnfure,  and  which  they  will  always  have  the 
greateft  chance  of  forming  to  advantage,  if  they 
rather  court  the  fhade  of  a  meritorious  retirement , 
ilian  the  intoxicating  notice  of  the  public  eye. 

So  far,  therefore,  from  their  receiving  any  fo- 
lid  advantages  from  this  method  of  expofure,  I 
conceive  that  it  often  fubjeds  girls  to  numerous 
inconveniencies,  dangers  and  temptations,  which 
their  early  age,  and  yet  unripened  virtue  are  not 
always  found  fufficient  to  refift. 

Thrown  together  in  Ihoals,  into  one  common 
rcfervoir,  at  a  dangerous  age,  when  nature  bids  an 
unufual  fervour  rife  in  their  blood,  when  they 
feel  themfclves  fprung  into  a  new  epoch  of  exig- 
ence, actuated  with  limilar  feelings  and  fimilar 
delires,  and  when  a  relilefs  Icifure  awakens  all  the 
powers  of  imagination  and  the  fenl'es,  they  in- 
lenfibly  convey  an  infeflion  to  each  other  by  tales 
oi  fentimeiUy  fympathy  Tundfriendjhipy  and  by  vari- 
ous communications,  fchemes,  and  artifices^  which 


FEMALE       EDUCATION.  77 

the  vigilance  of  no  governefs  is  able  to  difcover, 
nor  her  power  to  fupprefs.  In  the  heat  of  ima- 
gination, her  reftraints  are  conlidered  as  but  a 
pnidijh  bar  to  the  only  folid  hnpphicfs  in  life^  a  con- 
nexion wuh  the  other  fcx.  In  the  talle  of  a  li- 
centious age,  viewing  paflion,  as  a  hujlnejs  ;  in  the 
fernjour  of  nature,  feeling  it  as  an  infl:in(5t ;  and, 
in  the  inexperience  of  youth,  fancying  it  a  paradife, 
in  which  are  no  thorns,  a  country,  whofe  land- 
Ikips  are  all  real,  as  they  are  beautiful,  they 
behold  an  enemy  in  the  woman,  who  reftrains 
them,  and  have  recourfe  to  every  private  method 
of  breaking  through  the  chains,  the  defpotifni 
ATiiX  formalities  of  their  temporary  convents. 

Hence,  from  fo  many  ofFenfive  breaths,  all  pent 
up  together,  proceeds  a  total  putrefaction  of  the 
moral  air.  Hence  fwarms  of  novels  to  inflame 
their  fancy,  and  elFeiStually  to  pave  the  way  for 
their  future  feduiSiiion.  Hence  private  correipon- 
dencies,  aflignalions,  and  intrigue.  Hence  le- 
vity, giddinefs,  and  a  total  forfeiture  of  that  de- 
licacy and  foftnefs,  without  which  it  is  impoflible 
for  any  woman  to  be  lovely,  or  to  fecure  the 
cjleem^  whilll:  fhe  engages  the partia/ity  of  zn  im- 
paffioned  beholder. 

If  I  have  exaggerated  in  the  defcription,  let  ex- 
perience contradidt  me.  If  I  have  faid  the  truth, 
the  prejudices  or  the  interefts  of  particular  indivi- 
duals fiiould  not  be  regarded. 

The  qualitits,  which  every  man  of  real  tafl^ 
and  fenle  wilhes,  particularly,  to  find  in  a  wo- 
man, are  innocence,  limplicity,  and  domeftic 
worth.  To  thefe  he  would  facrifice  all  the  fan- 
c'tful  accomplifliments.  They  are  to  footh  his 
for  rows,  they  are  to  blefs  his  marriage,  and 
fweeten  his  retirement. 

Boarding  fchools  wholly  counteract  thefe  difpo- 
lltions.     They  trample  upon  nature,  and  give  us 

H3 


7H  STRICTURES       O    N 

artificial  creatures,  artificial  looks,  and  artificial 
fmiles.  In  their  formal  walls,  airs,  gellures,  fyl- 
lables,  articulation,  all  are  ftudied,  and  are  fure 
to  difguft.  Like  hot  beds,  they  give  ?i  foriuardnefs 
to  fruits,  but  deprive  them  of  their  natural  heaU 
thinefs  and  flavour;  and  xhtfine  ladies  they  fend 
into  the  world,  feel  themfclvcs  riJiculoiifly  ex- 
alted above  (what  they  conceive  to  be,)  the  gro- 
veling offices  of  family  cecononiy,  or  domeftic  at- 
tentions. 

If  women  wifh  to  pleafe,  they  fliould  confider 
that  nothing  cnn  pleafe  long,  but  the  limplicity  of 
nature  ;  at  the  fame  time,  it  behoves  them  to  re- 
member, that  they  were  certainly  born  for  fome- 
thing  more  important,  and  that  when  the  Ihort 
reign  of  their  charms  fliall  expire,  they  will  be 
able  to  procure  a  durable  elleem  by  nothing  but 
the  folid  qualities,  and  the  domeflic  virtues.  The 
miftrefs  of  a  family  is,  no  longer,  a  girl ;  and,  if 
men  are  to  diftinguifh  themfelves  by  bufmefs,  or 
letters,  by  enterprize,  or  valour,  females  are 
furely  called  on,  in  their  turn,  by  motives  of  gra- 
titude and  a  dignified  ambition,  to  immortalize 
themfelves,  if  poffible,  within  their  own  walls, 
and  to  tend,  with  unremitting  care  and  vigilance, 
the  little  tender  pledges  of  their  mutual  afl"c£lion. 
What  fays  the  wife  man  .''  **  A  good  woman  look- 
**  eth  well  to  the  ways  of  her  houfliold,  and  all 
**  her  family  is  clothed  in  fcarlet  !" 

Whatever  undornejlicates  a  woman,  fo  far  un- 
makes her,  as  to  all  the  valuable  purpofes  of  her 
exiftence,  and  is,  at  once,  the  bane  of  her  ufe- 
fulnefs,  her  happinefs  and  virtue.  It  rifles  her  of 
her  tendernefs,  fenlibility,  delicacy,  and  of  all  the 
fweeteft  of  her  virtues  and  her  graces.  It  is  un- 
domejlicuted  women,  that  poifon  the  fourccs  of  our 
fweeteft  comforts.  It  is  undomefiicatcd  women,  that 
have  houfes  without  any  order  or  arrangement,  fer- 
vants,   without  difcipline,  and  children,   without 


F  E   M   A   L    ii       EDUCATION.  79 

inftrudlion  ;  that  are  friends,  without  friendfhip, 
wives,  without  conftancy,  and  parents,  without  af- 
fe<flion.  And  it  is,  I  conceive,  a  public  education, 
which  firft  inlpiics  the  rage  for  pleafure  and  diflipa- 
tion. 

Ahnoft  every  thing  iti  and  about  th-Q^Q  feminaries, 
has  a  tendency  to  corrupt  the  heart.  What  is  it 
thefe  fair  pupils  are  taught  to  pant  for  ?  Admira- 
tion. What  is  propofed  as  the  higheft  obje(SV,  the 
tie  plus  ultra  of  all  iheir  endeavours  ?  Admiration. 
What  are  conlider^^d  as  the  fteps  to  it  ?  Elegant 
drefs,  appearance,  equipiige,  wit,  fmartnefs,  dan- 
cing, llnging.  In  the  mean  time  what  becomes  of 
the  love  of  Godi  v/hich  Chriftianity  reprefents,  as 
thtfrj}  of  duties  ?  How  little  do  they  ihidy  the 
example  of  their  faviour,  who  was  meek  and 
lowly  in  heart  ?  Wheie,  all  this  while,  is  the 
mortification,  and  religious  government  of  their 
paffions,  indifference  to  the  woi  Id,  the  difcipline 
of  their  heart,  thoughts,  and  imagination,  mo- 
dcfty,  humility,  heavenly  mindednefs,  and  all  the 
lovely  train  of  chriftian  and  evangelical  graces  ? 
With  fuch  impreflions,  how  vain  and  groveling 
muft  be  the  heart  !  How  full  of  petty  jealoiz/iesy 
and  paltry  competitions  I  How  clofed  to  all  the 
nobler  fentiments  and  aff^^ciioiu^  and  how  great  a 
ftranger  to  any  folid,  or  any  permanent  repofe  ! 

Without  unreafonably  fufpedting  the  abilities 
pf  a  governefs,  it  is  impoflible  ilie  ihould  attend 
to  the  prodigious  number  of  young  people  flie  re- 
ceives, fo  as  to  difcover  their  infinite  varieties  of 
talents  or  difpoHtions  \  and  it  may  be  prefmued, 
from  the  nature  of  things,  that  (he  will  not  be 
often  equal  to   the  arJuuus   undertaking. 

It  will  be  aliowcd  me  witliout  controvtrfy,  that, 
in  every  education,  principle^  of  rdigion  and  vir- 
tue Ihould  form  the  great  and  primary  coniidera- 
tion.  Without  thefe,  all  other  qualities  and  all 
other  accomplifhments  are  but  afpecious  iiructurc^ 


So  STRICTURES       ON 

raifed  on  the  fand,  which  muft  totter  in  the  mo- 
ment of  forrow  and  of  trial.  But,  toinftilthefe 
in  the  bcft  and  mofl  effectual  manner  •,  to  illuf- 
trate  them  with  the  moft  proper  images  and  em- 
beliifhmtnts  j  to  d'lverfify  her  efforts  according  to 
the  endlcfs  variety  and  taftes  of  her  fair  pupils  ; 
to  communicate  her  knowledge  and  virtue,  in 
fuch  a  manner,  as  to  make  them,  always,  feem  a 
rofe  without  a  thorn,  requires  no  ordinary  ta- 
lents and  exertion. 

To  accomplifli  fuch  an  end,  a  governefs,  in  the 
firft  place,  Ihould  be  a  prodigy  of  virtue.  Like 
charity,  "  fiie  fhould  fuffer  long  and  be  kind." 
She  Hiould  deny  herfelf  pleafure,  eafe,  flumber, 
every  thing  for  the  fake  of  her  tender  flock.  She 
fhould  love  them,  as  her  daughters,  and  confider 
herfelf  engaged  in  the  noble  employment  of  train- 
ing up  fo  many  angels  for  the  (kits. 

She  fliould  have  great  knowledge,  and  that 
knowledge  fhould  be  embcllilhed  with  tafte.  It 
fhould  appear,  like  the  fair  ones,  to  whom  it  is 
recommended,  always  lovely^  and  always  inviting. 
She  fhould  know  the  beft  books,  and  flie  Hiould 
be  able  to  difcriminate  and  felect  the  niofk J? riking 
and  interejling  paffages  for  their  inftrudlion. 

Her  addrefs,  likewife,  fhould  be  confpicuous 
above  all  her  other  qualities.  She  Ihould  be  able 
to  fee  the  heart  in  all  its  foldings  and  receffes. 
She  fhould  know  how  to  multiply  and  variegate 
herfelf,  as  exigencies  require  \  lierc  Hie  ihould 
footh,  and  there  fhe  fiiould  expofiulatc  ;  here  flie 
fhould  endeavour  to  affecSt  by  the  fpirited,  and 
there  by  the  pathetic;  in  one  place,  fhe  fhould 
be  gentle  like  the  dew,  in  another,  thundery 
lightning,  and  Jlorms. 

It  would  difplay  a  great  ignorance  of  human 
nature  to  fuppofe,  that  fuch  a  combination  of 
great  talents  is  frequently  to  be  met   with  in  any 


FEMALE       EDUCATION.  8l 

female ;  and  it  would  argue  a  ftill  higher  degree 
of  abfurdity  and  inexperience  to  expe<Sl  them  coti" 
centered  in  the  chara(Slcr  of  fuch  an  one,  as  gene- 
rally undertakes  this  particular  employment. 

So  little  is  the  efleem,  in  which  the  character 
of  Govenafs,  like  that  of  Scboo/'7?}a/Iery  is  held, 
and  fo  inadequate  are  the  rewards,  conferred  on 
thefe  people,  that  the  office,  in  the  he^^  point  of 
view,  will,  very  frequently,  devolve  upon  thofe, 
who,  having  once  feen  better  days,  but  now 
fallen  from  their  dignity,  have  contracTted  not  a 
little  of  that  defpondency  &ndfcurfitfsy  which  at- 
tend degradation  ;  and,  in  the  worft,  will,  as 
often  be  undertaken,  as  a  laft  refourcey  by  many, 
who  arc  not  famous  for  the  liberality  of  their 
fentimcnts,  as  they  have  not  been  diftinguifhed 
by  that  of  their  education.  To  expe61:  x\\2i\.  Jueh 
women  fhould  be  patterns,  either  of  the  graces 
or  the  virtues,  would  be  hoping  againft  all  the 
probabilities  of  things,  and  amufing  ourfelves  with 
an  airy  and  romantic  fhadow,  that  vaniilies  on  the 
touch  of  expeiience  and  fadl. 

Nor  do  I  conceive  that  Boarding  Schools  have 
fuch  a  tendency,  as  has  generally  been  imagined, 
to  give  the  fo  much  valued  excellence  of  polite* 
nefs. 

Without  eafe,  there  can  be  no  grace.  V/ith- 
out  graces  there  cannot  be  politenefs.  But  thefe 
feminaries  nurfe  2l  formality  andy//^;,Y/},  and  their 
feclufion  and  reflraiius,  like  thofe  of  a  college, 
are  unfavourable  to  thefe  attainments.  Whence 
fprings  politenefs,  but  from  collilion  with  a 
great  variety  of  characters  ;  from  living  in  habits 
of  genteel'  and  mixed  Ibciety  ;  from  being  fre- 
quently in  the  company  of  thofe,  whom  we  look 
up  to  with  a  degree  of  deference,  and  feel  our- 
felves infpired  with  the  ambition  to  pleafe  ? — 
None    of  thefe    circumftances  generally   exift  in 


82  STRICTTRES       ON 

fchools ',  and,  if  there  was  no  other  reafon, 
either  of  the  fexe$  living  aloof,  and  feparated 
from  the  other,  will  always  contrail  a  number 
of  peculiarities,  ungraceful  and  unpleafing.  But 
the  great  confideration,  after  all,  is  virtue.  And 
female  virtue  appears  a  plant  of  too  delicate  a  na- 
ture, to  bear  this  fcorching  method  of  expofure. 

It  will  appear  from  the  general  complexion  of 
thefe  remarks,  that  they  are  dcfigned,  principally, 
to  apply  to  people  in  the  higher  ranks  of  life. — 
Amongfl:  others,  cafes,  doubtlefs,  will  occur,  in 
which  a  public  fchool  may  have  its  advantages, 
and  be  the  beft  refource. 

In  a  flourifhing,  commercial  country,  like 
Great-Britain,  fome  parents  will  attain,  from 
•very  loiv  heginmugs  to  fo  ample  a  fortune,  as  to 
wiih  their  children  a  much  better  education,  than 
they  themfelvcs  have  enjoyed,  or  are  capable  of 
imparting.  And  it  will  occur  to  every  iefle(Sling 
peribn,  from  the  nature  of  the  cafe,  that,  under 
their  roofs,  daughters  might  imbibe  only  a  fet  of 
illiberal  notions,  or  a  fyftem  of  vulgar,  purfe- 
proud,  fupercilioufnefs.  'SIq  fuch  thefe  feminaries, 
clefe<Stive  as  they  are,  may  have  their  ufes  and  ad- 
vantage. 

The  fcntiments  o^  Juch  girls,  as  well  as  their 
manners,  may  here  receive  an  elevation  and  re- 
finement. They  may  Feel  themfelves  levelled,  nay 
ufefully  humbkd  by  the  company  of  their  fupe- 
riors.  Little  mortifications  may  beget  humility, 
and  little  fuperiorities  produce  fubordination. 
The  ^lecn  of  the  village  may  be  Gripped  of  her 
ufurped  plumes,  and  inl'enlibly  taught  to  treat 
thofe  with  refpedt,  whom  once  ihe  conlidered  with 
fcorn  and  averfion.  But  where  mothers  are  them- 
I'elves  equal  to  the  tafk  (ir  a  tad:  it  mufl  be  deemed,) 
'there  cannot  be  a  doubt  about  the  difference  of 
advantage;  as  a  matter  of  J.v/y,  if  all  the  cafuifts 


FEMALE       EDUCATION.  gj 

of  Europe  were  confulted,  they  could  not  bring 
the  fliadow  of  an  argument  againU  it.  No  ;  rea- 
fon,  religion,  the  thrilling  of  affedlion,  the  voice 
of  nature,  and  the  voice  of  God,  the  interefts  of 
focicty,  the  happinefs  of  private  life,  the  honour, 
the  dignity  and  true  policy  of  woman — all  fay,  that 
a  mother  fhould  be  X\\t  precept ref^  of  her  children, 
and  that  fuch  children  would  iVand  a  chance  of 
the  happieO:  inftrU(Slion.  "  If  luell  fiurtured  fons 
**  groiv  up  as  young  p  la  fits,  fuch  daughters  ivould 
**  ke  as  pelifljed  corners  of  the  templeJ*^ 


CONTENTS 


OF      THE 


STRICTURES  on  FEMALE  EDUCATION. 


Essay  I.  Containing  a  Jlight  Jurvey  of  the 
treatment  of  women  in  the  different  ages  and 
nations  of  the  worlds  and  an  invefiigation  of 
the  caiifesy  which  have  contributed  to  the  ob- 
vious and  fhameful  negligence  in  their  edu^ 
cation  Page   i 

II.  Obfervations  on  the  manner y  in  which  the 
treatment  of  this  Jex  will  he  influenced  hy^  and 
will  reciprocally  influence  the  tafte,  the  fen- 
ti?nents,  the  habits  andpurfuitSy  the  manners, 
the  morals y  the  public  and  the  private  happi- 
nejs  of  a  people  37 

III.  A difquifition  concerning  the  nature y  quality 
and  extent  of  female  talents y  and  the  com- 
parative difference   of  underftanding   in  the 
fexes  55 

IV.  Reflexions  on  the  dangers  and  infuffciency 
of  Boarding  Schools ^  confidered  as  a  mode  of 
Female  Education  72 


^M^mmjR'.'Hm 


LETTERS,    &c 


LETTER        L 
To  MifsLucY 


MY   DEAR    LUCY, 

X  HOUGH  I  myfelfhave  fudainedan  heavy  lofsby 
the  death  of  your  excellent  mother,  who  lived  fo  much 
in  my  friendfhip  and  efleem,  and  by  her  letters  and  fo- 
ciety  had  conftrred  upon  me  fome  of  the  fweetefl:  plea- 
fures  in  human  life,  yet  you  alas  !  are  the  principal  fuf- 
ferer  by  this  afflidling  difpenfatlon.  It  would  give  mc 
the  fincerefl:  pleafurc,  if  I  knew  how  to  alleviate  your 
grief,  or  afford  you  a  fingle  moment's  confolation. 

I  need  not  prefs  on  you  the  dodlrines  of  religion. 
You  have,  doubtlefs,  confidered  who  it  is,  that  has  de- 
prived you  of  this  invaluable  parent  ;  a  God  of  infinite 
wifdom,  who  never  flrikes,  but  at  the  fittcft  moment; 
a  God  of  equal  goodnefs,  who,  without  the  flrongefl 
reafons,  would  not  afflift  ;  and  a  being  of  unbounded 
power,  who  is  abundantly  able  to  make  up  your  lofs, 
and  open  to  you  a  thoufand  fources  of  comfort. 

Chrirtlanity  fhould  exclude  all  unrejjonable  forrow. 
If  wc  believe  that  our  friends  are  dead  in  God;  we 
know  that  this  life  is  only  a  vapour  ;  that  our  feparatiori 
is  but  for  a  moment,  and  that  we  Ihall  foon  be  reftored 
to  them  in  a  world,  where  life  is  without  pain,  ancj 
where  frlendfliip  is  immortal. 

Vol.  I.  B 


2  L  E  T  T  E  R  S     T  O     A 

Though  you  are,  in  the  literal  fenfe,  an  orphan,  yet 
the  number  of  friends,  to  whom  you  are  fo  juflly  dear, 
will  render  your  firuation  neither  folitary,  nor  dcfcnce- 
lefs.  The  fenhblc,  the  elegant  anc5  the  good,  will 
thirijc  thenifeives  honoured  by  your  accjuaintance.  They 
will  give  you  credit  for  inheriting  all  the  amiable  quali- 
ties of  a  mother,  who  was  revered,  as  far  as  known, 
whilfl  nature  has  fo  (Irongly  imprinted,  on  your  face, 
the  rtfcmblancc  of  her  ft-atures. 

The  fcene  is  Hili  frefli  upon  my  memory,  when, 
\n  herlall  moments,  (lie  fo  Itionply  recommended  you 
to  my  proteclion.  And  though  fhe  paid  a  compliment 
to  my  abilities,  which  only  a  partial  friendfliip  could 
have  excited,  flie  did  nothing  m.ort  than  ftiiti  juftice  to 
the  warmth  of  my  affcdtion.  I  fhall  really  think  myfelf 
complimented  by  your  correfpondence.  If  you  will 
call  me  father  or  brother,  you  will  give  an  unufual  luftre 
to  my  name.  This  fond  heart  fhall  vibrate  to  your 
wifhes  and  your  happinefs  :  and  if  you  will  occaflonally 
vifit  my  little  cot,  it  fhall  put  on  all  its  lovcliefl  charms, 
ar.d  fmile  in  all  its  gayeft  attire,  to  receive  fo  dear  and 
fo  amiable  a  ftranger.  The  rofes  of  my  humble  gar- 
den fliall,  if  pciTible,  be  doubly  fweet  ;  my  jefTamines 
fiiall  emit  an  unufual  fragrance  ;  and  if  nature  v/ill  but 
obey,  I  will  order  lhe^^i?/;t'r^/ fcenery  to  be  delightful. 
VVe  Paall  reap,  lam  affured,  mutual  benefits  by  this 
acquaintance.  If  I  am  able  to  communicate  to  you 
any  little  knowledge,  you  will  more  than  repay  it  by 
that  eufe,  delicacy,  refinement,  confidence,  and  expan- 
sion, which  ihe  mind  never  effe^lually  feels,  but  in  the 
friendfhip  of  a  fenfible  and  an  interefling  woman.  Such 
a  friendfhip  is  the  richelt  coidial  of  life.  Eitherof  the 
fexes  without  it,  are  never  what  they  fliould  be.  Like 
the  beil  figures,  .iruf'd.itedi  they  appear  to  difadvaniagc. 
ITnnatural  exptditnis  may  be  tried  to  fupply  its  place. 
Bufinefs,  ambillcn,  an  ovcrjlrair.ed  prudence,  or  pe- 
culiar fituations  may  lead  us  to  deny  ouifelvcs  fo  fwcet 
a  pleafure  ;  but,  in  fdtl:,  all  human  projects  aiid  luccef- 
fcs  are  infipid  without  it.  They  are  roieleib  thi>rus,  a 
v\  inter  without  a  fpring.  Pleafures  have  not  their  relifh, 
and  forrow  wants  a  bofum  to  recline  on.     Our  manners 


YOUNGLADY.  3 

have  not  their  proper  foftnefs;  our  morals  tlieir  purity, 
and  our  fouls  feel  an  uncomfortable  void. 

They,  who  talk  degradiiigly  of  women,  do  not 
know  the  value  of  the  treafure  theydefpife.  They  have 
not  fufficient  tafte  to  vellfh  their  excellencies,  or  purity 
enough  to  court  their  acquaintance.  They  have  taken 
the  portrait  of  abandoned  women,  and  they  think  the 
features  applicable  to  all. 

The  fofter  fex,  it  is  certain,  are  exceedingly  Injured 
by  their  education.  If  they  were  what  iXxcj  jhould  be, 
they  are  thofe  lights  in  the  pifture  of  human  lire,  that 
are  inteijded  to  cheer  all  Its  darknefs  and  iis  lh:ides. 

LETTER         ir. 

T^  .  . 

HE  education  of  women  is  unfortunately  directed 

rather  to  fuch  accomplifliments,  as  will  enable  them  to 
make  a  noife  and  fparkle  in  the  world,  than  to  thofe 
quaiities,  which  might  enfnre  their  comfort  here,  and 
Ifappinefs  hereafter.  Boarding  fchools  confult  but  lit- 
tle thofe  domertic  qualifications,  which  are  confefledly 
the  higheft  point  of  ufefulnefs  in  your  fex,  and  dill 
lefs  that  folid  piety  and  virtue,  which  alone,  to  an  in- 
telligent creature,  can  be  the  fource  of  any  real,  heart- 
felt enjoyment. 

Tliough  religion  Is  IndifpenHibly  necefTary  to  hoth 
fexes,  and  in  every  polfible  charader  and  llation,  yet  a 
woman  fecms,  more  pecuiiariy^  to  need  its  enlivening 
fupports,  whiKl  her  frame  mull  be  confcfild  to  be  ad- 
mirably calculated  for  the  exercife  of  all  the  tender  and 
devout  afftciions. 

The  timidity,  arifing  from  the  natural  'vveaknefs  and 
delicacy  of  your  frame  ;  the  numerous  difeafes,  to  which 
you  are  liable  ;  that  e.sqnifite  fcnfibiiity,  which  in  many 
of  you,  vibrates  to  the  flighte!l  toucli  of  joy  or  forrow  ; 
the  tremulous  anxiety  you  have  for  frieiiGS,  children,  a 
fan)iiy,  whicii  nothing  can  relieve,  but  a  fcule  of  their 
being  under  the  protedion  of  God  ;  the  fedentarlnefs 
of  your  life,  naturally  followed  with  low  fpirics  or  eniiui^ 
B2 


4  L  E  T  T  E  R  S     T  O     A 

whiltl  ve  are  feckinsr  health  and  pleafure  in  the  field  ; 
and  the  many,  lorely  hours,  which  in  almoll  every 
fituation,  ave  likely  to  he  your  lot,  will  expofe  you  to 
a  nnml  er  of  pcc^d'uir  forrows,  which  you  cannot,  like 
the  men,  cither  drown  in  wine,  or  divert  by  dlffipatlon. 
From  the  era,  that  you  become  ma.riaf;eable,  the 
fpherc  of  your  anxieties  and  affiiftions  will  be  enlarged. 
The  ^i  ncialicy  of  men  are  far  from  adin^  on  fuch  itrici 
principles  of  honour  and  integrity,  in  their  connexions 
with  you,  as  they  wouid  ri;^id!y  obfcrve,  in  matters  of 
a  jnuch  more  trivial  importance.  Some  delight  in 
fporting  with  your  nice  ft  fenfibilitits,  and  afterwards 
expofing  witli  an  illiberal  triumph,  the  fondnefs  of  a 
cieduioiis  and  uniufpeding  heart ;  others,  from  fafliion 
merely,  and  to  be  called  men  of  gallantry,  will  fay  a 
ihoufand  civil  things,  and  fliow  as  many  preferences  ; 
with  no  other  view,  than  to  amufe  the  moment,  or  ac- 
quire a  fantaftic,  vifionary  honour.  A  third  fort  of 
men  (yes  it  is  pofiible  that  there  (hould  be  inah  co- 
quettes!) wiU  do  and  fay  every  thing  to  infpire  you 
with  fondnefs,  and  get  poffefiion  of  your  heart,  with- 
out proceeding  to  that  explanation,  which  nature  has 
intended  to  come  from  m,  and  which  the  delicacy  of 
your  fex,  whatever  you  \x\?i.Y  fiiffevi  will  not  permit  you 
to  demand.  Others,  without  any  particular  defigns 
upon  you,  or  improper  attentions,  (for  attachments 
fpring  up  irifcnfiblyt  '^"d  are  as  poffible  in  one  fex,  as  the 
other,)  may  be  too  agreeable  for  your  fr.fety  and  repofe, 
,  and  leave  you  to  a  filent,  heartfelt  concern,  which  will 
prey  doubly  in  proportion  to  its  conceahncnt — or  even 
when  the  indinbliible  knot  of  marriage  is  lied,  and  you 
Ivave  refigned  every  thing,  till  it  comes  to  your  name 
and  perfon,  it  may  be  to  a  man  of  7fiere  integrity,  who 
knows  nothing  of  thofe  many,  little,  tender  attentions, 
which  involve  fo  great  a  fhare  of  a  woman's  happinefs 
— it  may  be  to  a  perfon  of  great  a??!hitio}i^  who  has 
neither  lelfure  nor  inclination  for  foft  domeftic  fcenes — 
it  may  be  to  a  fafliionable  Infqudy  who,  for  the  fake  of 
flirting  with  fome  elegant  fair,  and  giving  yovn  jealoufy 
the  wide  ft  range,  leaves  j(7«r  charms  and  the  endearments 
,of  \\h  children  to  perlfli  in  negledl — nay  ftakes,  peihapn, 
Lis  very  lajl  thoufand  on  the  uncertainty  of  game,  when 


YOUNGLADY.  5 

t!ie  unhappy  throw  may  confign  both  you  and  your 
iielplefs  babes  to  poverty  and  ruin — or  it  may  be  to  a 
perfon  of  a  peeviih,  ill-natured,  faturnine  ca(t,  artfully 
concealed,  till  he  had  you  in  pcflefTion,  which  no  atten- 
tions can  alter,  no  charms  can  fweeten,  and  no  vivacity 
can  cheer.  ITnder  thcfe,  or  indeed  any  other  ditlrefles, 
r^^iigion  is  the  only  true  and  unfailing  refource  ;  and  its 
hopes  and  profpcdts,  the  only  folid  bafis  of  confolation. 
In  your  many,  folitary  moments,  what  can  afford  the 
mind  fo  fovereign  a  relief,  as  the  exercife  of  devotion  to 
an  all-prcfent  God?  and,  when  domelHc  forrovvs  clufter 
upon  you,  which  you  cannot  reveal  to  any  friend  on 
earthy  what  method  have  you  left,  but  to  pour  them 
into  the  bofom  of  your  father  in  keavsri,  who  is  confef- 
fedly  the  friend  of  the  friendlcfs,  always  willing  to  hear 
their  cries,  and  always  able  to  proteft. 

The  period,  my  dear  girl,  I  truft,  is  diilant,  when 
fuch  afHi<5lions  fliall  attack  your  glowing  fenfibility. 
They  may  come,  however,  when  I  am  no  more  ;  when 
this  tongue  cannot  give  a  word  of  comfort,  nor  tiiefe 
eyes  drop  a  fympathizing  tear.  If  they JJ; etc' dy  remem- 
ber my  advice,  and  let  your  friendfhip.ftrcw  a  few  purple 
flowers  over  the  grave  of 

Your  very  faithful  and  affeftionale 


LETTER         III. 

1  CONSIDERED  devotion,  in  my  lad  letter, 
only  as  an  advantage  for  relieving  folitude,  or  as  the  bed 
refource  under  any  afllidions.  JBut  it  is,  indeed,  in  it- 
felf  one  of  the  highed  and  mod  exquifite  pleafures  ; 
opening  the  mind  to  the  fublimed  contemplations,  ex- 
panding it  with  the  mod  delightful  hopes,  and  foothing 
all  its  powers  with  feelings  and  confolations,  that  arc 
infinitely  beyond  the  reach,  the  nature  and  the  littlenefs 
of  all  human  things. 

There  mud  be  a  thoufand  moments  in  the  life  of  every 
peifon,  that  is  not  elevated  by  this  devotion,  when  all 

B3 


6  LETTERSTOA 

carihly  blcffnigs  will  be  cold  and  Infipid,  and  the  foul 
mull  feel  an  inexprtfiible  languor,  though  pofftfTed  of 
all  the  kingdoms  of  the  world,  and  the  glorits  of  them. 

Though  fome  fanatics  have  m^dc  the  love  of  God 
ridiculous  by  couching  it  in  too  fenfual,  rapturous,  or 
cxtravpgant  language,  yet  fuch  a  pafiion  there  is, 
grounded  on  the  moit  rational  principles,  and  fpringing 
from  \\\Q  pureji  fource  ;  without  which  our  lives  would 
frcqufutly  be  n.iferable,  and  our  duties,  the  formal, 
unanimated  fervice  of  a  body  without  a  foul. 

If  we  admire  v/hat  is  great,  fublime  and  magnificent, 
on  oth^r  cccafious ;  if  we  love  what  is  amiable,  diiinte- 
relied,  benevc.ltnt  und  merciful  in  many  of  our  feliow- 
creatures,  whom  we  have  never  feen,  what  principle 
cither  of  reafon  or  philofophy  forbids  us  to  aJmire  and 
love  the  fame  in  God,  who  is  the  primary  author  of  all 
amiablenefs,  and  at  once  the  foutce  and  /^ //;."/}  of  ail 
poiTible  pevfecfllon  ;  and.  if  we  acknowledgt  him  as  the 
])arent  of  all  real  happlnefs,  where  is  the  abfuidity  of 
cukivailng  an  intercourfe  :i\\d.friendjh}p  with  him,  in 
order  to  obtain  that  happinefs,  by  prayer,  reflexion, 
£nd  pious  nfplrations  ? 

Thou  Hialt  love  the  Lord  thy  God,  with  all  thy 
heart,  and  with  all  thy  foul  :  This  is  the/r/?  and  grsu,t 
c>.^nimandment. 

If  a  virtuous  attachment  to  an  imperfeft  creature 
here  is  attended  with  fuch  tranfports;  if  friencifliip, 
jiure  and  difintercRed,  has  fuch  exquifite  enjoyments, 
the  pleafure,  refulting  from  an  intimacy  with  God  muli 
far  furpafs  all  human  comprehcnfion,  and  be  Infinitely 
more  exalted  and  fublime.  It  is  heaven,  compared 
with  earth,  or  the  immenfity  of  fpace,  with  the  little, 
narrow  boundaries  of  a  prifon,  or  a  convi^nt. 


LETTER         IV. 


N: 


^  ,  E  V  E  R  fancy,  that  religion  will  render  you 
gloomy,  or  unplcafing.  If  indeed  you  take  it  from 
the  coarfe  daubings  of  fuperftition  or  of  cnthufiafm,  it 


YOUNGLADY.  7 

is  a  friqhtful  monfter,  or  a  melancholy  fpedre,  that 
will  difcourage  people  from  approaching  you.  If  you 
deduce  it  from  the  fcriptures,  and  ground  it  upon  reii- 
fon,  folid  argument  and  truth,  it  will  become  a  fource 
of  perpetual  cheerfulnefs  to  yourfelf,  that  will  be  re- 
flected on  tvciy  perfon  and  objedl  about  you. 

Never  fail  to  treat,  with  the  greateft  reverence,  every 
thing,  that  relates  to  the  houfe  of  God,  to  his  minifters, 
to  his  facramentp,  and  to  his  word.  To  mention  any 
thing,  that  is  facred,  with  levity,  is  a  certain  mark  of 
a  depraved  heart,  and  a  weak  underftanding.  A  witty 
fneer  or  farcafm,  on  inch  fubjefts  is  not  to  be  forgiven. 
It  fliocks  all  the  feuhble  and  better  part  of  mankind, 
and  is  a  fpecies  of  blafphcmy  ox  facrilcge. 

You  remember  who  has  faid,  that  **  every  woman  is 
'*  at  heart  a  rake."  This  ftntence  is  fevcre,  and  not 
to  be  admitted  without  rellridlions.  Pope  was  a  ran- 
corous fatirlfl:  of  women.  Whatever  be  his  merit  in  the 
world  of  letters,  they,  at  leaft,  owe  no  extraordinary 
gratitude  to  his  memory  or  talents.  **  Tread  lightly 
**  upon  the  afhes  of  the  dead,"  is  a  maxim  I  revere. 
I  would  otherwife  retaliate  his  infults  on  the  fcx,  and 
become  the  champion  of  their  injured  honour,  1  would 
infinuate,  tiiat  the  poet  was  little  and  deformed,  and 
had  experienced  few  of  their  carcfles  or  aitentions. 
Other  writers,  however,  have  charged  you  with  a  llrong 
preference  for  ^/^/>/?/fd^  men.  But  this,  furely  Is  the 
ungenerous  afperlion  of  your  enemies,  or  of  thofe,  who 
have  not  known  the  moll  deferving  amongft  you,  and 
have  formed  an  unjutl  and  unfavourable  conclufion, 
from  the  unamiablenefs  of  a  few. 

21?«r  example,  I  trull,  will  always  contradidl  fuch 
indijcr'nninate  cenfure.  The  idea,  if  we  could  admit 
it  in  its  full  extent,  would  be  unfriendly  to  the  focial 
happinefs  of  life.  It  would  dellroy  that  efteem  and 
contidence  in  your  virtues,  which  the  heft  and  wifed 
men  have  uniformly  thought  no  inadequate  counterpoife 
to  their  forrows,  and  their  cares.  A  bad  duui  is  terri- 
ble in  fociety  ;  but  an  unprincipled  nuonan  is  a  monjier. 
The  peace,  happinefs  and  honour  of  our  fex  are  fo  very 
much  in  the  power  oi  yours  after  marriage,  that  the 
moll  abandoned  libertine  fliudders  at  the  thought  of  an 

B4 


S  LETTERSTOA 

union  with  a  wonnan,  who  lias  not  piety  and  virriie. 
His  intimacy  with  fome  females,  of  a  certain  cJefcrif^tioJi, 
"has  given  him  fuch  a  difgufling  pldiirc,  as  will  never 
be  forgotten.  In  his  moments  of  reflexion,  he  exe- 
crates his  folly,  and,  when  he  delibetates,  whom  he 
/liould  chufe  for  tlie  co.inpanion  of  his  life,  appeals  from 
the  trearheroi.'S,  ruffitd  bofom  of  an  harlot,  to  one, 
that  will  be  always  faithful,  and  always  ferene.  With- 
or.t  /";':/!•,  indeed,  a  womsn  can  never  fully  pon'efs  the 
tr.ic  powers  of  plcafing.  She  will  want  that  meek  be- 
rcvolence,  fympathy  and  foftnefs,  which  give  an  inex- 
prcfiih-e  luf,re  to  her  features,  and  fuch  a  wonderful 
afc^ndancy  over  oar  affedions.  We  fliall  not  otkericife 
approach  her  with  confidence,  or  dar«  to  repofe  any  of 
om-fecrets,  our  concerns  or  our  forrows,  in  her  fympa- 
ihrsing  breaft. 

LETTER        V. 

MY  DEAR   GIRL, 

F 

X  F  your  mind  is  in  a  proper  frame,  every  thing  in 
you  and  about  you  will  inculcate  the  necefTiiy,  and 
prompt  you  to  the  cui.tinual  exercife  of,  devotion. 
You  will  find  yourfelf  encompafled  with  innumerable 
fears,  weaknefles,  wants,  forrows,  difeafes,  wifhes, 
hopes,  under  which  all  human  creatures  will  be  unable 
to  afTift,  or  give  you  any  adequate  relief;  but  wherever 
you  cad  your  eyes,  you  will,  at  the  fame  time,  be  in- 
vironed  with  the  immcnfity  of  a  Being,  who  is  poflVf- 
fed  of  nil  poflible  perfe£lIons,  and  who  holdeth  the 
iffues  of  life  and  death,  of  happinefs  and  mifery,  folely 
in  his  hands. 

The  power,  majefty,  grandeur  and  wifdom  of  this 
Being  are  difcernible  in  every  part  of  your  frame,  in 
every  fun6lion  of  your  body,  and  operation  of  your 
mind,  nay,  in  the  curious  and  exquifite  formation  of 
every  animal  and  infedl:.  They  are  leen,  on  a  ^\\\  fub' 
Iwier  fcale,  in  the  fize,  the  diflance?,  grandeur,  and 
wonderful  revolution   of  the  heavenly    bodies  j  iu   the 


YOUNGLADY.  9 

beautifully  variegated  canopy  of  heaven,  in  alltlie  deli- 
cious landfliips  of  nature,  in  the  plcafing  fuccefiian  of 
day  and  night,  fpring  and  autumn,  fummer  and  winter. 
In  (hort,  winds  and  florms,  thunder  and  lightning, 
earthquakes  and  volcanos,  the  grand,  magnificent  ocean, 
waves  and  comets,  fulfilling  his  word,  appearing  and 
and  receding,  at  his  fovercign  command  ;  flowers,  blof- 
foms,  fruits,  foflils,  minerals,  petrifadlions,  precipices, 
hills,  caverns,  vallies,  ^//tell  you,  that  their  Former  is 
inimcnfely  magnificent,  **  that  he  doeth  wliat  he  will 
*'  in  the  armies  of  heaven,  and  amongft  the  inhabitants 
**  of  the  earth,  and  that  none  can  vvithlland  the  thifn- 
**  der  of  his  power." 

This  God  then  is  able  to  gratify  your  wifhes,  ajid 
fupport  you  under  all  your  fufferings  ;  he  has  nvifJom 
enough  to  protedl  and  guide  you  ;  the  queflion  then 
is  ;  is  he  nvilling  ?  On  this  head,  hearken  to  all  nature, 
for  it  fpeaks  aloud.  Look  through  the  numberlefs  orders 
and  gradations  of  animals,  infcf^f?,  nay  the  meanell 
reptiles,  and  you  will  beaftonidied  with  the  attention, 
that  hasbeenlavifhedonthem,  in  the  contrivance  of  their 
frame,  the  allotment  of  their  fituation,  and  the  provi- 
fion,  made  for  their  continual  fupport.  Tkey  diXft  happy. 
Shift  your  eye  to  all  the  inaniuiate  creation,  and  you 
will  find  it  a  fcene  of  harmony,  of  order,  and  beauty, 
and  feemingly  conftrufted  for  owx gratification.  Lovely 
pidturefque  views  delight  our  imagination  ;  flnubs  and 
plants  and  flowers  regale  us-  with  aromatic  fmells.  But 
9  poet,  of  very  defcriptive  talents,  (hall  fpeak  on  this 
occafion  ; 

Wherefore  nature's  form 
So  cxquifitely  fair?  her  breath  perfumM 
With  fuch  ethereal  fweetnefs  ?  whence  her  voice. 
Informed  at  will,  to  raife  or  to  deprefs 
Th'  impaffion'd  foul,  and  whence  the  robes  of  light, 
Which  thus  inveft  her  with  more  lovely  pomp, 
Than  fancy  can  defcribe  ?  whence  but  from  Thcc^ 
O  fource  divine  of  never  failing  love, 
And  thy  unmcafui'd  goodncfs  ?  not  content 
With  ev'ry  food  of  life  to  ncurifh  man. 
Thou  mak'd  all  nature,  beauty  to  his  eye, 

B5 


lo  LETTERS     TO     A 

Or  mufic  to  his  ear  ;   well  pleasM  he  fcans 
1  he  goodly  profpeft,   and  with  inward  finiles. 
Treads  the  gay  verdure  of  the  painted  plain, 
Ikholda  the  azure  canopy  of  heav'n, 
y^nd  livincr  lamps,   that  overarch  his  head 
With  more  than  regal  fplendour,   lends  his  ears 
To  the  lull  choir  of  water,  air,  and  earth. 

In  ev'ry  part 
We  trace  the  bright  imprefiions  of  his  hand, 
In  earth,  or  air,  the  meadow's  purple  ftores. 
The  moon's  mild  radiance,  or  the  virgin  form, 
Blooming  with  rofy  fmiles,   we  fee  pourtray'd 
That  u^jcr^aied  beauty }  which  delights 
The  mind  fupreme— 

Indeed,  if  you  reafon  for  a  moment,  why  could  the 
Almighty  create  at  all,  but  to  diffufe  and  variegate  en- 
enjoyment  ?  Inexhauftible  fource  of  happinefs,  from 
all  eternity,  he  needed  not,  and,  in  faft,  could  not  re- 
ceive, an  addition  to  his  oau«.  In  himfelf  fuprcmcly 
blcfled,  fountain  of  eternal  raajelly  and  fplendour, 
adored  by  feraphs,  furrounded  by  myriads  of  angels 
and  archangels,  what  dignity  could  he  derive  from  the 
cxiflence,  or  fervices  of  man,  who  is  but  a  worm,  or 
the  prodiidlion  of  ten  thoufand  worlds  ?  It  was  infinite 
wii'dom,  therefore,  that  il<etchcd  out  the  plan  of  uni- 
verfal  nature,  ?ind  all-comf?nuiiccitive  goodntis^  that  bade 
fo  many  worlds  exift,  and  bade  them  to  be  happy.  The 
fupreme  and  gracious  Former  wifhcd  to  communicate 
fome  fcattered  rays  of  his  glory  and  his  blcflednefs  to 
this  extended  world  of  matter  and  of  life,  and  has 
therefore  rcplcnifhed  every  leaf,  every  drop  of  water, 
and  every  poJfwiHty  of  fpace  with  fhoals  of  inhabitants  j 
lor 

Scarce  buds  a  leaf,  or  fprings  the  lowcfl.  weed, 
But  little  flocks  upon  his  bofom  feed  ; 
No  fruit  our  palate  courts,  or  tafte  or  fmell. 
But  on  its  fragrant  bofom,  nations  dwell. 

Is  it  not  then  a  certain  conclufion,  that  he  created 


Y  O  U  N  G     L  A  D  Y.  1 1 

yon,  as  well  as  all  uiferior  animals,  for  happinefs  ?  On 
this  you  may  depend,  as  much  as  you  can  \ipon  the  cer- 
tainty of  your  cxiftcnce  ;  and  that  he  is  always  move 
'willing  to  be  your  protedor,  than  you  are  ready  to  re- 
quell  it. 

Q^tv,x\\t  facrcd  hook,  and  from  beginning  to  end,  it 
will  confirm  this  opinion,  and  exalt  your  ideas  of  the 
divine  pcrfedions.  "  1  delight  in  exercifmg  loving- 
**  kmdnefs,  faith  the  Lord. — The  Lord  is  good  to  all, 
**  and  his  tender  mercies  are  overall  his  works.  If  he 
*'  clothes  the  gtafsof  the  field,  which,  to-day,  is,  and 
*'  to-morrow  iscaft  into  the  oven,  how  much  more  fliall 
**  he  clothe  you,  O  ye  of  little  faith  V  That  religion 
is  built  on  ^vrong  notions,  or  a  melancholy  temper,  that 
fills  us  with  iviaginary  terrors.  All  nature  breathes  a 
language  of  hope  and  mercy.  And  nature  is  the  mef- 
fengerof  God.  • 

It  is  true  there  is  evil  in  the  world,  as  well  as  good  ; 
there  are  marks  of  y^iy^;//^;//,  as  well  as  mercy.  There 
are  hurricanes,  as  well  as  fanning  breezes  ;  noxious  are 
intermixed  with  ufcful  animals;  /•i?//o«o?</ and  fahitary 
herbs  grow  be/Lie  each  other,  and  rofes  have  their  thorns. 
There  are  wars  and  rumours  of  wars  j  there  are  earth- 
quakes, that  defolate  nvhole  countries  ;  a  thoufand  forms 
of  difeafe  ;  a  thoufand  modifications  of  forrow,  anxiety, 
death.  If  he,  who  fits  at  the  helm,  be  fo  gracious, 
whence  all  this  diforder  i*  if  his  innn'te  power  be  com- 
bined with  equal  wifdom  and  goodnefL',  why  did  he  not 
prevent  it  ? 

If  men  were  not  to  be  free  agents,  the  total  preveu' 
tion  of  fin  and  evil  feems  an  iwfoffihilify.  Mora!  liberty 
could  not  confift  with  a  mechanical,  forced  obedience  ; 
and  if  we  had  not  been  free,  the  idea  of  puniflimcnts 
or  rewards,  of  an  heaven  or  an  hell,  would  be  the 
greateft  of  all  pofiible  abfurdities.  So  that  the  quellion 
ultimately  amounts  to  this,  whether  it  was  proper  for 
the  Almighty  to  create  fuch  a  world  at  all  ?  Had  we 
rot  better  referve  the  propriety  of  this  condudl  to  be 
difpuied  with  him,  at  his  great  tribunal  ?  There,  I 
doubt  not,  we  (hall  be  amply  convinced,  that  the  cre- 
ation was  a  work  of  infinite  mercy,  as  well  as  power, 
and  that  a  greatu"  degree  of  ba/>pinefs,  than  miftry  has 


12  LETTERS     TOA 

uriTcn  from  it.  There  too,  when  we  are  able  to  (lifccrn 
with  glorifed  eyes,  the  whole  chain  of  caufes  and  cfFedl's, 
from  the  beginning,  to  the  end,  of  time  ;  the  dependence 
of  one  link  of  being  on  another,  and  of  worlds,  on 
v.'orlds  ;  this  evil  we  now  complain  of,  may  become  a 
means  of  exalting  our  ideas  of  the  attributes  of  the 
Almighty  ;  and  we  fliall  blufh  at  ourfelves  for  even 
liaving  qucflioned  his  goodnefs  for  a  moment,  or  encou- 
raged a  reafoning  pride,  fo  ill  becoming  creatures, 
whofe  days  are  few,  whofe  (Irength  is  weakncfs,  whofe 
wifdom  folly  ;  and  who,  in  the  prefent  imviurevient  of 
their  underrtanding,  fcarcely  know  the  nature  of  a 
blade  of  grafs,  or  of  the  very  pebbles,  on  which  they 
tread. 

Thisquellion  concerning  the  origin  of  evil  has  puz- 
zled the  whole  tribe  of  reafoners  and  philofophers,  from 
the  creation,  to  the*  prefent  moment.  The  fcripturc 
alone  has  folved  the  enigma  to  our  fatisfadion.  This 
deranged  ftate  of  things  is  the  providential  punifhment 
of  guilt,  but  at  the  fame  time,  contrived  in  mercy,  as 
a  falutary  regimen,  and  as  a  mode  of  purifying  fallen 
creatuies  for  the  innocence  and  happincfs  of  a  better 
world.  Il  is  a  chaos,  fitted  tq  owx  prefent  confticution, 
j\nJ  will  refine  as  ^e  do,  into  its  primitive  beauty  a.nd 
fplendour.  *'  There  (hall  then  be  new  heavens  and  a 
**  new  earth,  wherein  dweilelh  righteonfnefs.  The 
"  vvoif  Ihall  dwell  with  the  lamb,  and  the  leopard  lie" 
**  down  wiih  the  kid,  when  the  earth  is  full  of  the 
**  knowledge  of  the  Lord,  as  the  waters  cover  the 
"  feas."  Refignalion,  in  the  mean  time,  has  a  balm 
for  fufFerIng,  and  the  faith  of  a  chrilHan  **  looketh  to 
*'  a  better  country,  with  foundations,  whofe  builder 
**  and  maker  is  God." 

But  fptculations  apart,  if  you  draw  nigh  to  thr  Al- 
mighty, he  will  draw  nigh  to  you  ;  if  you  feek  his  fa- 
vour and  fiicndilip,  all  things  fiiall  work  together  for 
your  good.  Tribulation,  anguifli,  naktdnels,  cr  fa- 
mine, or  peril  or  the  fword,  will  all  be  fo  many  inftru- 
menis,  in  his  hands,  of  procuring  'your  eternal  happi- 
ncfs and  glory. 

Remi^mber  the  gift  of  his  only  Son  to  be  n  facrlfice  for 
your  fins,  and  It  is  moie  than  a  thoilfanj  lefTuns  of  a 


Y  O  U  N  G     L  A  D  Y.  13 

mercy  beyond  a  parallel,  and  that  far  exceeds  all  hu- 
man comprehenfion. 

On  fo  delightful  a  fiibjeiSi,  it  is  difficult  to  flop  one^s 
pen,  or  reftrain  the  Tallies  of  imagination.  This  idea 
of  the  fupreme  being  cafts  a  delicioiis  fragrance  over 
all  the  real  enjoyments  of  life.  It  gives  an  inexpreflible 
pnignancy  to  friend (lilp,  and  to  the  affe^ion,  with 
which  I  fhall  ever  feel  my fclf  inviolably  yours. 

»<►....<>...  c^><^g><s>. .<>.... .<>... 

LETTER        VT. 

MY    DEAR    OIRL, 

JL/EVOTION,  confulercd  fimply  in  itfclf,  is 
an  intercourfe  betwixt  us  and  God  ;  betwixt  the 
fupreme,  felf-exiftent,  inconceivable  fpirit,  which  form- 
ed and  prefervcs  the  univerfe,  and  that  particular  fpirit, 
with  which,  for  awful  reafons,  he  has  animated  a  por- 
tion of  matter  upon  earth,  that  we  call  man.  It  is  a 
filent  a6l,  in  which  the  foul  divells  itfelf  of  o?^/'u;^r^ 
things,  flies  into  heaven,  and  pours  forth  all  its  wants, 
wifhes,  hopes,  fears,  guilt  or  pleafurcs,  into  the  bofon* 
of  an  ahiigkty  friend. 

Though  this  devotion,  in  its  firft  ftages,  maybe  a 
wearifome  or  inftpid  exercife,  yet  this  arifes  merely  from 
the  depravity  of  nature,  and  of  our  paffions.  A  little 
habit  will  overcome  this  reluctance.  When  you  have 
fairly  entered  on  your  journey,  "the  ways  of  this  wif- 
**  dom  will  be  ways  of  pleafa'ntnefs,  and  all  its  paths, 
**   peace." 

True  devotion,  doubtlefs,  requires  a  confiderable  de- 
gree of  ahf}rafiion  from  the  world.  •  Hence  modern  chri- 
lli<!!is  treat  it,  as  a  vlfion.  Hence  many  modern  writ- 
ers have  liitle  of  its  unflion.  But  it  glows  in  the  fcrip- 
tures.  It  warms  us  \x\  the  fathers.  It  burned  in  an 
Aullin,  and  in  many  other  of  thcfe  perfecuted  martyrs, 
who  now  are  wirh  God. 

That  we  hear  little  of  it,  is  not  wonderful.  It  makes 
no  noife  in  the  circles  of  the  learned  or  of  the  elegant. 
Under  an  heap  of  worldly  cares,  yicfj?wther  the  lovely 


14  L  E  T  T  E  R  S     T  O     A 

infant,  and  will  not  let  it  breathe.  Vanity,  ambition, 
pleafure,  avarice,  quench  the  celeftial  fire.  And  thefe 
alas!  arc  too  much  the  god  of  mortals!  Everfince 
the  world  began,  writers  have  been  amufing  us  only- 
wit  hyZ'^Tt/^xuj-  of  this  piety,  inHead  of  giving  us  li^  foul 
and  fiihftatics.  Supeifftition  has  placed  it  in  opini- 
ons, ceremonies,  aufterities,  pilgrimages,  perficution^ 
an  auguft  temple,  or  fplendid  imagery,  which  had  lit- 
tle connexion  with  fentiment  or  fjiirit.  Enthufiafm 
has  fwelied  with  «/;/;^/«rrt/ conceptions,  and  obtruded 
7i  fpurious  ofTsprlng  on  the  world,  inilead  of  this  enga- 
ging child  of  reafon  and  truth  ;  whilil  the  lukewarm 
have  relied  in  a  few  outward  duties,  which  have  had  no 
vigour,  and,  as  they  fprung  not  from  the  heart,  nevtr 
entered  the  temple  of  the  moil  High. 

Real  piety  is  of  a  very  different,  and  a  much  more 
aniwated,  nature.  It  looks  up  to  God,  fees,  hears, 
feels  him,  in  every  event,  in  every  viciffitude,  in  all 
places,  in  all  feafons,  and  upon  all  occafionc.  It  is 
is  theory,  vivified  by  experience.  It  is  faith,  fuhfia?i- 
tiated  by  mental  enjoyment.  It  is  heaven,  tranfplanted 
into  the  human  bofom.  It  is  the  radiance  of  the  Divi- 
nity, warming  and  incircling  man.  It  isy^/Wrw^/ fenfe, 
gratified  hy  fpiritual  fenfations.  Without  //■//,  all  cere- 
??ionies  are  inefficacious.  Books,  prayers,  facraments 
and  meditations  are  but  a  body,  without  a  foul,  or  a 
ftatuc,  without  animation. 

That  man  is  capable  of  fuch  an  intercourfe  with  his 
Maker,  there  are  many /;V/?(a  witnefies  to  prove.  With- 
out having  recourfeto  the  vifionsof  fanatics, orthe  dreams 
ofenthufia{ls,it  may  be  proved  to  fpring  from  natural  and 
phihfophical  caufes.  God  is  a  fpirit  ;  fo  is  the  mind. 
Bodies  can  have  intercourfe;  fo  c^x\  fouls.  When  minds 
are  in  an  affnnilat'mg  ftate  of  purity,  they  have  union 
with  their  Maker.  This  was  the  blifs  o^  paradife  ;  fm 
interrupted,  and  holinefs  muft  rcflore  it.  To  a  foul, 
thus  difpofed,  the  creator  com.municates  hlmfclf,  in  a 
manner,  which  is  as  infenfible  to  the  natural  eye,  as  the 
falling  of  dews,  but  Bot  lefs  refrefhing  to  its  fecret  pow- 
ers, than  thath  to  vegetation. 

The  primitive  faints  are  defcribing  this,  when  they 
fpeak  of  their  tranfports.     David  felt  it,  when  he  long- 


Y  O  U  N  G     L  A  D  Y.  15 

ed  for  God,  as  the  hart  panleth  after  the  water  brooks. 
St.  Paul  knew  it,  when  he  gloried  in  his  tribulations. 
It  was  embodied  in  him,  when  he  was  carried  up  into  the 
third  heavens,  and  hcaid  things,  impoflible  to  be  ut- 
tered. St.  Stephen  wa?  filled  with  it,  when  he  faw  the 
heavens  open,  and  piayed  for  his  muiderers.  By  it, 
martyrs  were  fupported,  when  they  were  (toned,  and 
fawn  afunder.  And  till  we  feel  it  in  ourftlvcsi  we  fhall 
never  fully  know,  how  gracious  the  Lord  is. 

If  you  can  acquire  this  fpirltual  ahjlra^ioti^  you  will, 
at  once,  have  made  your  fortune  for  eternity.  It  will 
be  of  little  moment,  what  is  your  lot  on  earth,  or  what 
the  diftlnguifliing  vjciffitudes  of  your  life.  Profperity 
or  adverfity,  health  or  Ikknefs,  honour  or  difgrace,  a 
cottage  or  a  crown,  v/lll  all  hi  fo  many  iiiftruments  of 
glory.  The  whole  creation  will  become  a  tcj?.'ple. 
Every  event  and  every  objed:  will  lead  your  mind  to 
God,  and  in  his  greatnefs  and  perfcdlous,  you  will  In- 
fcnfibly  lofe  the  llttlenefs,  the  glare  and  tinfel  of  all 
human  things. 

If  I  wlfhed  only  to  fet  o^  your  p erf o?i  to  the  greatcft 
advantage,  I  would  recommend  this  iv^t  fublh?ie  of  re- 
ligion. It  gives  a  pleafing  ferenlty  to  the  coyntenance, 
and  a  cheerfulnefs  to  the  fpirits  beyond  the  reach  of 
art,  or  the  power  of  affedatlon.  It  communicates  a 
real  tranfport  to  the  mind,  which  diflipation  mimics 
only  for  a  moment ;  a  fweetnefs  to  the  difpofition,  and 
a  liijire  to  the  manners,  which  all  the  airs  of  modern 
poliienefs  ftudy  but  in  vain.  Eafy  in  yourfelf,  it  will 
make  you  in  perfect  good  humour  with  the  world,  and 
when  you  are  diffufing  happinefs  around  you,  **  you 
"  will  only  be  dealing  out  the  broken  fragments,  that 
"  remain  after  you  have  eaten.** 

LETTER        ViL 

X  H  I  S  devotion,  however,  though  effl-ntially  r 
filcnt  intercourfe  betwixt  the  foul  and  God,  yet,  to 
creatures,  confilUng  of  igatterf  as  well  as  fpirit,  muft 
be  nouriflicd  by  ex/ er^ja/  forms.  It  muft  ftrike  the  fen- 
fes,  ill  order  to  awaken  the  imagination. 


i6  i:  E  T  T  E  R  S     T  O     A 

The  bulk  of  people,  indeed,  are  fo  far  juaterializedr 
(if  I  may  thuscxpicfs  it)  and  funk  m  fcnfey  that  no- 
thing but  outward  ceremonies  would  give  them  any- 
adequate  perception  cither  of  the  necejfity  or  pleafures, 
of  devotion  ;  and  even  the  vc\o^  fpiritual,  in  a  ftate  of 
frailty,  will  need  thefe  powerful  calls  and  leflbns  to  re- 
trace the  varnifliing  impreflions  of  their  duty. 

Public  vvorfliip  and  the  facraments  are  the  grand  out- 
nuork  of  piety.  They  are  the  doers ■,  by  which  we  en- 
ter the  fanftuary  of  God.  They  arc  the  channels  for 
conveying  heavenly  grace  and  vigour  to  the  foul.  It 
is  here  the  ReJecmer  gives  us  food,  that  nourifhes  to 
eternal  life.  It  is  here  he  rains  down  fountains  of 
liring  water. 

Whoever  pretends  to  be  above  thefe  forms,  is  they>- 
vatic,  who  might  as  well  tell  us,  that  his  animal  life 
can  be  fupported  without  food  ;  whoever  defpifes 
them,  is  the  Infidel,  that  does  every  thing  in  his  pow- 
er, to  root  out  the  remembrance  of  God  from  the  earth, 
and  violate  the  dearefl  intercfts  of  mankind.  Whoever 
conjcientioujly  attends,  yet  coiifiders  them,  only  zsiNtro- 
duciory  to  good,  is  a  true,  rational  chrlllian,  that 
unites  the^feparate  links  of  matter  and  fpirit,  and  lets 
his  light  (hine  before  men,  that  they  may  fee  his  good 
works,  and  glorify  his  Father,  who  is  in  heaven. 

Lukewarmnefs,  an  infenfibility  to  all  facred  things, 
fcepticifm,  profligacy,  and  licentious  pleafures  are  the 
difcriminating  traits  of  tkofe,  who  negled,  from  what- 
ever vain  pretences,  thefe  means  of  grace.  The  heft 
difpofed  are  gradually  hardened,  and  the  poor  are 
plunged  into  fuch  diforders,  as  bring  them  to  the  fatal 
tree. 

LETTER        Vlir. 


A 


N  O  T  H  E  R  excellent  method  of  inkindling 
piety,  is  reading  the  fcriptures.  A  chrlftian,  indeed, 
Hjould  have  this  facred  book,  ever  folded  in  his  brcaft. 
There  is  a  rlchiiefs  and  a  comfort  in  it,  that  nothing 
elfe  can  equal.     Every  worJ  is  big  with  inftrudion  5 


YOUNG    LAI3Y.  17 

every  fencence  is  divine.  It  is  a  mine,  perpetually 
opening  ;  the  deeper  we  dig,  the  richer  is  the  ore. 
It  is  a  feaft,  adapted  to  every  tafte  ;  the  mod  exalted 
underftanding  mufl:  admire,  and  the  lomocjl  cannot  fail 
to  comprehend,  its  inrtrudlions. 

If  people  only  read  for  the  fake  of  entertainment, 
where  can  they  lind  a  book  equal  to  the  Bible  ?  What 
other  produf^lon,  cither  ancient  or  modern,  has  fuch 
ftrikiiig  pafTcio^es  of  the  piithetic  and  fublime,  the  vehe- 
ment and  impafTioncd?  Wiiere  are  there  fuch  lofty 
images,  fuch  grand  conceptions,  or  fuch  pifturefque 
and  animated  dcfciiptions,  a?  in  the  pfalms  ?  There  is 
fcarccly  a  peifon  in  the  world,  to  Vihofe  cafe  fome  of 
thetp  are  not  adapted,  nor  a  forrow  wliich  they  cannot 
footh.  In  one  part,  plaintive,  afFe<5^ing,  penitential  ; 
in  another  full  of  triumph  and  exultation,  ennobling, 
elevating;  here  defcribing  the  immenfity,  majefty,  om- 
nipoterjce  and  omniprefence  of  God;  there  the  littlc- 
nefs  of  the  world,  and  the  vanity  of  man  ;  whoever 
can  read  them  without  emotion,  muft  be  pronounced 
void  both  of  piety  and  tafte. 

The  prophets  are  the  true  fuh/hne  of  holy  reading. 
The  bold  images,  metaphors,  ailufions  and  defcriptlons, 
with  which  they  abound,  have  been  the  admiration  of 
the  moft  accomplifhed  fcholars,  orators  and  critics  in 
the  world.  The  proverbs  of  Solomon  and  the  book  of 
Ecclefiafticus  are  an  excellent  fyftem  for  tlie  govern- 
ment of  private  life,  as  well  as  a  fund  of  fpirimal  in- 
ilrudlion  !  They  have  all  the  ?narro-iv  of  our  mc^/ern 
fyftems  of  good  breeding,  without  any  of  their  p  off  on. 
The  facred  llories  of  the  fcrlpture  are  related  with  ama- 
zing iimpliclty  and  pathos  ;  the  parables  are  beautiful- 
ly pointed  and  inftruc^^ive  ;  and  the  epiilles  of  St.  Paul 
arc  a  model  of  the  fublimeil  andmoftenergetictloqutnce, 
that  can  be  found  in  any  age,  or  in  any  language. 

When  the  immortal  Locke  and  Newton  had  dived 
into  every  «t/?er  kind  of  knowledge,  they  fat  down  to 
contemplate  the  vanity  and  poverty  of  all,  in  the  rich- 
nefs  of  the  fcriptures.  The  famous  Bacon,  an  oracle 
of  learning,  in  his  day,  and  the  wonder  of  all  fucceeding 
ages,  confefTed  them  to  be  the  fource  of  all  realivifdovj. 
The  illutlritus  Selden,  ou  his  death«bcd,  affured  arch- 


i8  LETTERSTOA 

bifliop  Ufher,  that  the  whole  of  his  immenfe  library- 
could  not  give  him  half  the  comfort,  which  he  derived 
from  or\t  Jingle  fentence  of  the  infpired  wiilings  ;  and 
Addifon,  whofe  name  mull  be  ever  dear  to  evtry  friend 
of  religion  and  virtue,  fpent  no  little  time  in  coUedling 
together,  and  arranging  into  one  common  point  of 
view,  the  united  evidences  of  the  chiillian  rcli^icui. 

The  primitive  chriftians  ufed  to  read  this  book,  on 
their  knees.  The  preface  was,  '*  Open  thou,  mine 
"  eyes,  that  1  may  fee  the  vvondroua  things  of  ihy 
*'  law."  Imitate  them  ou  earth,  and  in  //wf  you  fhall 
join  that  illuftrious  choir  of  faints,  that  are  continually 
worfliipping  before  the  throne  in  heaven. 


-<>-"-<>-<^<^ 


T 


LETTER         IX. 


H  E  old  Scriptures  may  appear,  in  themfelves, 
dry  and  infipid;  but  when  you  confider  them,  as  ()•/>/- 
r<?/of  the  new,  and  affording  a  ftrong,  collateral  telli- 
moriy  to  tlie  truth  of  revelation  ;  as  defcribing  the  cir- 
rumilanct«,  manners,  and  anecdotes  of  a  jjeculiar,  cho- 
fen  people,  whofe  hiftory,  rebellion,  ca[)tivity  and  dif- 
perfion  are  interwoven  with  the  whole  fyilem  of  chrifll- 
anlty,  you  will  read  them  with  a  greater  relifh,  and 
more  godly  edification. 

Jefus  Chrid  is  the  foundation  of  the  apoftlcs  and  pro- 
phets ;  all  the  incidents  you  read,  point  to  him,  as 
their  origin,  and  as  their  end  ;  *'  the  great  corner  ilone 
"  in  Zion  ;  the  lamb  flain  from  the  foundation  of  the 
*<   world." 

The  bondage  of  the  children  of  Ifrael  in  Egypt,  is 
an  image  of  our  captivity  to  fin  ;  and  their  deliverance, 
of  our  redemption  through  the  blood  of  Cluill;  their 
journeying  through  the  wildernefs,  is  a  ftrong  pidlure 
of  our  wearifome  pafTage  through  this  vale  of  tears. 
Mofes  is  the  Saviour,  making  waters  of  comfort  gufh 
from  the  ilony  rock  ;  the  manna  is  the  food  of  his 
word,  and  the  waters  are  the  graces  of  his  holy  fpirit  ; 
the  beautiful  and  affedting  hiftory  of  Jofeph  is  an  em- 
blem of  that  better  perfouage,   who  was  euviHd,  hated, 


YOUNG     LADY.  19 

peiTccuted  and  murdered  by  his  brethren,  for  the  gen- 
eral falvatlon  :  Abraham  is  a  ftrlking  image  of  the 
Almighty,  offering  up  his  only  fon,  and  all  the  cere- 
vwnies  of  the  law  point  to  that  true  blood  oi  fprinkling; 
which  alone  can  take  away  the  fins  of  the  world.  Thus 
is  every  paiic  holy  ;  thus  do  yon  tread,  every  moment, 
on  confecrated  ground,  and  thus  every  word,  whcn/'/o- 
perly  underllood,   is  fpirit  and  is  life. 

Bui  of  ^//the  fcriptures,  the  gofpels  are  certainly  the 
mou  edifying  and  inllrud^ive.  They  are  plain,  forci- 
ble, fj)itirja]  ;  they  come  from  the  very  mouth  of  ho- 
linefs  and  wildom,  and  do  not  admit  of  any  wrong  con- 
ftrndtion?  or  duubtful  interpretations.  If  there  was 
only  the  i'iith  clinptcr  of  8t.  Matthew's  gofpel  extant, 
v\ c  Hiun'.)  have;  an  ii;com.pai\ib!e  abudgmtnt  of  chridi- 
anity,  fiifilciint  to  direct  our  faith,  or  animate  our  prj;C- 
tice,  and  flarti  coi.fufion  on  that  hod  of  writers,  who 
have  built  fo  nany  wrong  and  dangerous  opinion6  on 
the  pretended  bafis  of  revelation. 

Commentators  may  ferve  to  explain  an  eaflern  cuflom, 
ceremony,  allufion  or  mode  of  expreffion,  but  I  cannot 
in  general,  recommend  them,  at  Icaft  to  young  people. 
They  embarrafs  more  frequently,  than  they  dirt(5l  ; 
they  have  often  perplexed,  what,  in  iifelf,  was  cltar, 
and  darkened,  where  they  aife£led  to  illuminatG,  1'he 
fayings  of  our  Lord,  are  fo  very  obvious,  as  to  need 
little,  or  no  explanation.  They  are  a  precious  wine, 
which  the  profane  wifdom  of  fcholars  and  philofophcrs 
has  mixed  with  water.  If  men  had  only  Ituditd  them 
with  earneflnefs,  inflead  of  their  own  inferefts,  prejudi- 
ces and  paflions,  we  fhould  never  have  been  diltradtd 
with  fo  many  fyflems  of  error  and  fuperttition. 

Do  not  read  much,  at  a  time.  Meditation  is  the 
floma«h,  which  digefls  this  food  ;  you  fhould  rcficcl 
many  hours,  for  reading  one.  And  there  is  fuch  a 
condenfcd  richnefs  in  the  fcriptures,  tliat  one  fingle 
verfe  will  often  fugged  an  ample  fund  for  ferious  con- 
templation. 

Every  moment,  thai  you  perufe  this  book,  confidcr 
yourfelf  as  in  the  immediate  prefence  of  your  Maker. 
Fancy  that  you  hear  him,  delivering  the  command- 
ments, in   all  the  thunder  and  lightning  of  the  mount. 


20  LETTERSTOA 

Remember  that,  though  heaven  and  earth  fail,  one  jo^ 
or  one  tittle  fhall,  in  no  wife,  pafs  from  the  law,  till 
all  be  fulfilled.  Confider  what  a  number  of  holy  men 
have  fealed  the  truth  of  this  tcftfmony  with  their  blood. 
Examine  yourfelf  by  the  promifes  and  thrcatenings,  as 
you  go  along,  and  do  not  forget  to  blefs  Gotl,  upon 
your  knees,  that  he  has  given  you  fuch  a  lamp  for  your 
feet,  and  fuch  a  light  to  your  paths. 

Without  this  fixred  volume,  the  world  would  have 
been,  at  this  very  moment,  coniidcrrably  unenlightened  ; 
wurlhipping  (locks  or  (lones,  perhaps  offering  human 
blou;',  and  tormenting  thenifelves  with  Imrdcnrome  ce- 
rcm(;nies,  that  had  no  manner  of  connexion  with  the 
he?.it;  immcrfed  in  forrows,  which  they  could  not  have 
cjfeo,  and  perplexed  with  a  thoufand,  gloomy  enigmas, 
w'nic/i  they  never  could  have  foWed.  The  light,  which 
fupcriiciai  fceptics  vaunt,  as  that  of  nature  or  philofo- 
phy,  is,  in  a  great  degree,  derived  from  the  fcripturcs. 
The  arguments,  which  they  level  againft  chriftianity, 
have  been  fuggefted  by  the  light  of  chriftianity  itfelf. 


LETTER 


T 


HOUGPI  I  have  reprobated /Ti^/Zx  commenta- 
tors, there  are,  however,  feveral  little  books,  which 
will  illuftrate  and  enliven  the  facred  writings,  and  ena- 
ble you  to  read  them  with  greater  pleafure  and  advan- 
tage. Melmolh,  on  the  beautiful  and  fulilime  of  fcrip- 
ture,  falls  under  thifi  defcription.  He  will  fnggcit  fome 
ftriking  paflages,  which  before  may  have  efcaped  your 
obfervation. 

The  ComtefTe  le  Genlis  is  intitled  to  the  gratitude 
of  all  young  people.  She  is  pbfltfTed  of  an  elegant  tafte, 
a  fplendid  ftyle,  and  a  very  enlightened  undtrllanding. 
She  has  thrown  into  a  dramatic  form,  feveral  of  the 
hiftorical  parts  of  the  Bible  ;  and  though  the  chaftity 
of  an  Englifh  tafte  is  not  cafily  reconciled  to  ferioufnefs 
**  in  fo  queftionable  a  fhapc,"  her  ingenuity  fparkles 
througli  the    whole   perfoimance,  and   has    given   it  a 


YOUNGLADY.  tt 

patho3,  an  interejl  and  a  brilliancy,  that  will  both  im- 
prove your  heart,  and  delight  your  imagination. 

I  fcarcely  know  a  woman,  that  deferves  fo  much  from 
the  community  at  large,  as  Mrs.  Trimmer.  Her  Sacred 
Hillory  is  a  well  known,  ufeful  performance  :  her  un- 
wearied labours  for  the  fervice  of  the  poor,  in  her  Fa- 
viily  Magazine,  and  her  aflive  patronage  of  Sunday 
Schools,  btfpeak  an  heart,  that  is  warm  with  benevo- 
lence, and  an  underdanding  of  no  ordinary  fize.  The 
pride  of  philofophy  and  profound  learnir.g  may,  per- 
haps, look  do'vjn  on  fuch  attempts,  as  beneath  their 
ambition.  But  how  can  talents  be  fo  ufefully,  or  fo 
amiably  employed,  as  when  dripped  of  their  gaudy 
plumage,  they  condtfcend  to  inftruft,  to  blefs  and  re- 
form the  meaneft  of  mankind.  Metaphyfical  xt2XQ\\mg% 
arc  for  the  lear?icd  feiv,  and  often  miflead  tkevi ;  thefe 
/'r<7t7/V/?/ labours  confult  the  good  of  7mllions,  and  will 
continue  to  edify,  when  all  fuch  cobweb  fyftems  are 
totally  demolilhcd,  and  their  authors  configned  to  the 
oblivion  they  deferve. 

There  is  not,  perhaps,  a  better  method  of  turning 
fcripture  to  advantage,  than  that  ufed  by  the  good 
bifliop  Wilfon,  in  his  Sacra  Privata.  He  felefts  a  few, 
detached  verfes,  and,  in  his  natural  and  eafy  ftyle,  raifes 
upon  each,  a  train  of  reflexions,  which  muft  inkindle 
and  animate  the  devotion  of  every  reader. 

Doddridge's  pavaphrafe  on  the  new  tellament  may  be 
juftly  recommended  for  its  zeal,  piety,  carneflnefs  and 
animation.  Nor  docs  it  want  the  embellidimenta  of  a 
lively  fancy,  or  of  an  eafy  unadorned  language.  But, 
like  mod  diflenters  of  his  time,  he  was  a  pupil  of  the 
Calvininic  fchool  ;  and  though  I  fhall  never  be  a  convert 
to  his  fyftem,  I  cannot  but  approve  the  general  air  and 
fpirit  of  his  writings.  There  are  few  things  or  charac- 
ters in  life,  any  more  than  authors,  that  are  formed  to 
command  an  unreferved  admiration.  The  moil  delight- 
ful landlkip  has  its  fhades.  The  mofl:  animated  counte- 
nance has  frequently  yijwd-  feature  imperfeCl  or  diflorted. 
There  will  be  accidental  heats  and  flufhcs  on  the  mod 
delicate  complexion. 


LETTERS     TO     A 


LETTER         XL 


T 


HERE  are  feveral  excellent  manuals  of  private 
devotion.  But  I  ha%'e  no  great  opinion  of  thefe  forms. 
Look  into  the  hiilory  of  your  private  life  and  the  dif- 
penfatlons  of  Providence;  to  what  is  daily  happening 
within  you,  and  about  you,  and  your  own  heart  will  be 
the  bell  prayer  book  In  the  world.  If  you  attend  to 
its  wifhes,  its  bieathings  and  its  wants,  you  can  never 
want  language  ;  or  if  you  JJjould,  God  is  ever  prefent 
and  will  accept  the  naked  willies  of  your  foul.  A  beg- 
gar ^  in  great  diftrefs,  is  always  eloquent.  \i\?>Jighs 
and  tears  fpeak  ;  he  feels  what  he  wants,  and  he  needs 
no  artificial  arrangement  of  words.  ^\\\\hahes  mud  be 
nourilhed  with  milk.  There  is  a  period  in  the  chrlflian, 
as  well  as  the  natural,  life,  when  leading  llrings  are  ne- 
ceffary  to  the  infant. 

£  have  known  people  fall  into  a  total  difufe  of  private 
devotion,  folely  from  a  fancied  poverty  of  words.  This 
Is  a  very  dangerous  error.  Prayers,  drawn  from  books, 
are  furely  preferable  to  no  prayers  at  all.  u^rtifchl 
exercife  is  better  than  total  inaftion.  But  prayer  of 
the  heart  is  that  fuperlor  glow,  which  arifes  from  motion 
in  the  open  air,  and  exhilarates  us  with  a  view  of  all 
the  charming  plflures  and  productions  of  nature. 

As  a  public  fydem  of  devotion,  that  of  our  church 
is  excellent.  How  fimple  and  energetic  Is  the  language  ! 
How  rich  and  beautifully  varied,  are  the  colleds  !  How 
unconfined  and  univerfal  the  prayers,  extending  to  all 
conditions  of  men,  fituations  of  life,  and  comprizing 
every  wifli  and  forrow  of  the  heart.  If  other  forms 
do  not  pleafe  your  talle,  you  may  contrive  to  adapt 
fome  portion  of  this  to  your  private  occafions. 

Two  capital trsilts  will  Orike  you  in  your  liturgy  ;  the 
great  flrefs,  laid  upon  ^efus  CkriJ}^  and  the  continual 
intcrrceflion  for  the  blefiings  of  \.h.t  holy  fpirit.  Thcfe 
are,  indeed,  the  grand  leflbn  to  be  learned  from  It,,  as 
well  as  from  the  fcrlptures.  They  are  the  pillars  of 
the  church  ;   the  ///^and  blood  of  the  chrillian  fyllem. 

Without  the    aionemeiit   of  Chiift,  criminals  as  \vc 


Y  O  U  N  G     L  A  D  Y.  13 

arc,  there  never  could  liave  been  any  hope  of  mercy  ; 
without  tlic  affitlancc  and  graces  of  the  fpirit,  we  could 
not  have  been  purified  for  the  manfionsof  glory.  If 
ChriO.  his  been  c:d!ed  the  fun  of  righieoufnefs,  the  holy 
fpirit  is  the  air,  v.'hich  purifies  and  invigojates  the  whole 
moral  world,  and  preftrves  it  from  tlagnation  and 
putvefaftion. 

Meditate  frequently  on  thefe  fuffcrings  of  Cnriil,  till 
you  abhor  every  fin,  that  produced  them  ;  and  in  order 
to  be  enriched  with  all  graces  and  blefiings,  })ray  daily 
and  fervently  for  this  holy  fpirit.  The  good  Bifhop 
Kenn  has  a  few  words,  in  one  of  his  hymns,  which 
wonderfully  epitomize  our  petitions  and  our  wants  : 

Direct,  control,   fugged  this  day, 
All    I   dcfign,   or  do,   or  fay, 
That  all  my  pow'rs,  with  all  their  might, 
In  thy  fole  glory  may  unite. 


LETTER         XII: 

MY    DEAR    LUCY, 


Y 


OUR  facred  reading  needs  not  to  be  wholly  con- 
fined to  the  fcriptures.  A  few  other  ferious  books  will 
aflift  your  piety,  as  well  as  ferve  to  ilhijjrate  and  con. 
firm  the  fcriptures  themfelves. 

I  cannot,  in  this  refpeft,  fo  much  recommend  modern 
fcrmons,  as  fome  little  pradical  treatifes  of  piety.  En- 
glilh  difcourfes  in  general,  by  a  ftrange,  fcholaftic  mif- 
management,  are  not  fufficiently  addrtlfed  to  the  heart. 
Either  they  are  learned  difquifilions,  on  iovrxe  fpecttla' 
tivcy  controverted  fubjtft,  more  calculated  to  difplay 
abihties,  than  to  edify;  or  they  are  fpruce,  moral  ef- 
lays,  with  little  more  of  chriftiauity  in  ihein,  than  might 
be  gleaned  from  the  works  of  Plato  or  Epiftelus.  They 
want  that  fimplicity,  fire,  energy,  animation,  that 
boldnefs  of  images,  appeal  to  the  confcience,  and  that 


i4  L  E  T  T  E  R  S     T  O     A 

piftiirefqnc  dlfplay  of  heaven  and  hell,  which  give  fuck 
an  unftion  to  the  writings  of  St.  Paul,  and  of  the  fa- 
thers. Tlicy  do  not  thunder  and  lighten  at  the  finner  ; 
they  do  not  cany  us  by  a  whirlwind,  into  heaven,  and 
fliew  U8  thrones  and  fceptres  ;  they  convince,  but  they 
do  not  animate  ;  x\\&y  glittery  but  they  do  not  ivan^t. 

Ancient  divines  have  more  fire  and  matter.  They 
ftudied  the  fcripiurcs,  more  than  huvian  fyftems.  "They 
were  filled  with  the  fpirit  ;"  they  were  men  of  watch- 
fiilnefs  and  prayers.  A  profane  fpirit  of  criticifm  or 
of  philofophy,  falfely  fo  called,  makes  ?/rcold  and  lan- 
guid. In  pervading  many  learned  or  fplendid  pages, 
the  heart  is  often  left  devoid  of  one,   pious  emotion. 

Many  fermons,  no  doubt,  are  to  be  excepted  from 
this  cenfiire.  Thofe  of  Archbifhop  Seeker  contain  a 
fund  of  folid  matter,  piety  and  in{lru(5lion  ;  but  the 
Jtyls  is  rather  fingular  and  uncouth.  The  marble  is  rich, 
but  it  is  unpolilhed.  There  is  fuch  a  thing,  as  an  ele- 
gant fimplicity.  Seeker  had  a  fimplicity  without  this 
elegance. 

Few  prelates,  however,  have  deferved  fo  well  from 
the  church,  or  pofterity.  The  metropolitan,  though 
placed  in  the  bofom  of  a  court,  had  neither  pride,  in- 
dolence, nor  adulation.  His  vigilance  was  extraordinary  ; 
his  labours,  unremitting,  and  his  crofier  but  an  imper- 
fect emblem  of  the  real  paftoral  zeal,  *'  which  eat  up 
his  foul."  The  prefent  bifhop  of  London  has  all  the 
fimplicity  of  his  lUuftrious  patron,  tiffued  with  that 
elegance,  which  the  archbifliop  wanted.  His  fermons 
have  been  univerfally  read  ;  they  are  written  on  a  truly 
evangelical  plan  :  and  their  objedl  is  not  merely  to  aTnufe^ 
but  to  inllru6l  and  edify. 


LETTER         Xin. 


E 


VERY  perfon  (hould  read  the  difcourfes  of  Sher- 
lock, who  wifhes  to  fee  the  grand  dodlrlncs  of  chrlf- 
tianity  properly  illuftrated,  and  inforced  with  equal 
energy  of  argument  and  language.     Sherlock  is  one  of 


Y  O  U  N  G     L  A  D  Y.  25 

the  few  original  writers  of  fermons.  He  is  the  Locke 
of  divinity,  who  anatomizes  the  whole  fyftcm,  and  dif- 
plays  its  component  parts. 

Many  authors  glean  all  their  nnatterfrom  othcrbooks. 
He  borrowed  his  from  the  fcrijUures  and  reflexion.  He 
thought  many  hours,  for  ivritifig  one.  If  all  men  did 
the  fame,  the  prefs  would  not  groan  with  fuch  conti- 
nual abortions, 

Ogden's  Sermons  have  very  great,  original  merit. 
Perhaps  I  mijcalled  them  ;  they  are,  more  properly, 
flielches  on  facred  fubjecEls;  on  the  fundamental  articles 
of  the  chriiliin  faith.  There  is  more  vigour,  and  ener- 
gy and  convidiion  in  one  paj^^e  of  this  writer,  thiin  in 
whole  volutues  of  fome  others,  who  have  received  a 
much  more  general  appiaufe. 

The  do6lor  fet.'-?s  particularly  to  hiive  (ludied  concife- 
nefs,  and  his  miniature  plan  fometin)cs  leaves  the  fea- 
tures of  his  pieces  indiftin<fl.  There  is  a  fingular  ab- 
ruptnt:fs  in  his  tranfitiong,  and  the  mir.d  is  frequently 
obliged  to  paufe.  In  order  to  difcover  the  invijible  con- 
nexion, and  unite  the,  feemingly,  broken  chain  of 
ideas.  Thefe  dlfcourfes  were,  probably,  in  thtii  cr/^/- 
nal  ftate,  much  more  diffufe.  He  retrenched  by  degrees, 
and,  as  an  ingenious  French  writer  once  faid,  *<  had  lei- 
fure  to  beconcife." 


LETTER         XIV. 


T. 


HERE  is  more  popular  eloquence,  argument 
nnd  pathos  in  ArchbiHiop  'I  iilotfon.  than  inalmoft  any- 
ancient  writer  of  fernu^ns,  that  I  recoiled.  But  his 
works  are  much  incumbered  with  the  fcholaftlc  divinity 
of  his  age,  and  Arangely  perplexed  with  divilions  and 
fi'bdivifions.  Unity  of  defign  is  the  beauty  of  all  wri- 
tin;»8  A  religious  dlfcourfe  fl'.ould  lend  only  to  the  en- 
fo>cing  of  ox\t  grand  point.  This  fhould,  always,  be 
kfpt  in  fir.ht,  and  the  way  to  it  /houid  be  as  dire(5l, 
conclfe  ad  iiin^le,  as  poffble.  Divines  of  the  laft 
century  fpcnt  more  time  in  proving  what  \v2L%fel/' evident 9 
Vol.  I.  C 


i6  LETTERS     TO     A 

and  illiiftrating  it  by  learned  quotations,  than  would 
have  fufficed  for  inculcating  fomc  leflbn  of  piety,  that 
would  never  have  been  forgotten.  Modern  writers  have 
judicloufly  corrected  this  mirtake.  They  come  more 
hnv2ediately  to  the  point,  and  would  think  it  as  down- 
right pedantry  to  amufe  their  hearers  with  a  long  lift  of 
writers,  as  to  retail  little  fcraps  of  Greek  or  Latin  In 
converfation. 

Atterbury  was  the  puioit  Cicero  of  his  day,  and, 
for  the  beauty,  fvvectncf^  aud  harmony  of  his  llyle,  has 
Jiill  an  admirer  in  every  pcrfon  of  elegance  and  tafle. 
But  to  me  he  has  always  appeared  rather  graceful,  than 
forcible,  and  more  fplendic!,  than  impalTioned.  He  ii 
always  drefled  for  couv:  ;  and  y'?a^/Viy  ornaments,  how- 
ever rich,  cannot  but  have  an  uninterefting  uriiforviity. 
He  is  invariably  a  fine,  flowing,  pellucid  ftream,  never 
that  impetuous  torrent,  which  overflows  iti  banks,  car- 
ries all  before  it,  and  gives  us  the  idea  of  fublimitj 
and  grandeur.  Nature  would  have  tired,  if  flie  had 
prefented  us  with  nothing  but  fine,  level  extended  laivns. 
She  has  wifely  intermixed  with  heaths,  barren  rocks, 
and  craggy  precipices  in  her  infinitely  beautiful  and  va- 
riegated landflfips. 

LETTER        XV. 

^^  H  E  late,  unfortunate  Dr.  Dodd  owed,  I  fiiould 
conceive,  his  great  popularity  to  the  advantage  of  his 
voice,  pcrfon,  manner,  gtllure  and  addrefs.  For  in- 
deed hiscompofitions  have  not  intrinfic  merit  enough  to 
have  challenged  any  extraordinary  applaufe. 

Weak,  flimfy,  fuperficial  in  his  arguments,  and  ra- 
ther plaufible,  tlian  energetic  in  his  language,  it  muft 
have  been  only  the  popularity  of  his  fubje^lR,  the  new 
vt\n  oi  pathetic,  which  he  attempted,  and  his  fortunate 
congenial  fituation  at  the  Magdalen,  and  in  a  metro- 
poli3,  which,  under  the  management  of  fuch  advanta- 
ges, procured  him  his  extenfive,  temporary  reputation. 
But  alas  !  his  popularity  was  very  dearly  purchafed ! 


YOUNGLADY.  27 

It  was  built  on  the  ruins  of  his  innocence  and  virtue. 
Happy,  if  he  had  lived  and  died  in  obfcurity,  or  been 
an  humble  curate  in  fome  fequeftered  village,  where  jef- 
famines  had  clafped  round  his  unenvied  manfion,  with 
unenlightened  ruftics  only  for  his  aflbciates  !  Admira- 
tion would  not  then  have  dazzled  his  eyes.  His  vanity- 
could  not  have  fought  thofe  unequal  connexions,  which 
he  afterwards  found  himfelf  unable  t«»  fupport,  nor  ex- 
penfive  pleafures  ltd  him  to  an  aftion,  which  wounded 
religion  in  its  very  vitals,  and  brought  fomuch  difgracc 
on  his  facred  profeflion. 

He  might,  then,  like  many  other  excellent  men, 
have  **  fallen  afl'itp,"  amidll  the  tender  offices  of  be- 
wailing friends  ;  and  grateful  villagers,  would  have 
wetted  his  monument  with  tears  of  heart -felt  gratitude 
and  efteera.  He  is  now  a  beacon,  rifing  high  in  the 
bofom  of  the  ocean,  which  fays  to  the  wary  mariner, 
<*  beware  of  rocks  and  quickfands."  It  has  been  faid, 
that  Dodd,  In  the  beginning  of  his  facred  office,  was 
remarkably  pious.  What  is  the  conclufion  ?  Hear  it 
from  compaflion.  Bathed  in  tears,  fhe  lifts  up  her  voice, 
and  cries  aloud,  "  Let  him  who  thinketh  he  ftandeth, 
<*  take  heed  left  he  fall." 

Farlngdon's  Sermons   have  very  fingular  merit.      It 
is  but  feldom  that  fo  much  vivacity  finds  its  way  Into 
this  fpecies  of  writing.  They  will  improve  your  heart ; 
they  will  pleafe  your  tafte,  and  inchant  your  imagina- 
tion.     It  is  many  years  fince  I  read  them  ;  but  the  im- 
preffion  they  made  upon  my  mind,  will  never  be  erafed. 
If  I  durft  Invidioufly,  amidft  their  many  excellencies, 
mention  a  defeft,  it  is  that  they  are  not  fufficiently  full 
of  y^r//'/«r«/ all ufions.     It  is  amazing  what  force   and 
energy  X.\\q  judicious  Introdudlion  of  fcriptural  paffages, 
authorities  and  images,  gives  to  difcourfes  of  this  na- 
ture.    The  reft  may  be  the  ingenious  conje£lures  of  the 
author.      Thefe  ftrike  the   reader  with  all  the  certainty 
and  irreliftible  evidence  of  mathematical  demonftration. 
Though  genius  and  tafte  may  he  permitted  to  evihel- 
iiJJjt  the  facred  writings  (liould  be  the  grouJid-nvork  of 
all  pulpit  produdlions.     They   fliould  check  our  flights 
into   the  regions  of  fancy,   and   they  ftiould  guide  us 
through  the  bewildering  mazes  of  metaphyfics. 
C2 


iS  LETTERSTOA 

Farlngdon  is  long  frnce  dead,  but  the  r^al  *  author 
of  thefe  Difcourfts  is  ytt  alive.  I  have  long  had  the 
honour  of  knowing  him,  and  as  long  have  adnnired  his 
talents.  And  of  his  virtues  and  great  benevolence,  he 
cxiiibited,  I  think,  no  ordinary  proof,  when,  to  ferve 
the  family  of  a  deceafrd  brother  clergyrran,  he  gave 
his  time,  his  l.«bour,  his  abilities,  and  (what  is  mcire,) 
denied  himfelf  th&  dazzling  profpcft  of  relmtation. 


LETTER        XV  r. 


Y 


X  OUNG  people  are  in  raptures  with  (what  they 
chufti  to  call)  Sterne's  Sermons.  But  true  cnlicifm  will 
not  give  ihem  fo  dignlt^ed  a  name.  They  arc  the  facred 
ftorits  of  fcrlpturc,  em'  tliifhed  with  his  original  talent 
at  th;.'  defcriptive  and  pailittic.  They  are  h\s  fcnftmen- 
/«/ journey  to  Zion  ;  but  have  little  more  of  true  divi- 
nity in  them,  than  they  might  have  hrid,  if  fuch  nn 
heavenly  pcrfonagey  as  Jeiue  Chrift,  had  never  lived  in 
the  world,   nor  publilbed  his  gofpel. 

Sernions,  tli?.t  aim  only  to  atnnfe  or  ejitcrtaifiy  are 
beneath  the  pulpir.  They  are  the  mora!  heauifht  of 
divines;  an  attempt  to  mix  all  the  coIjuis  of  the  rain- 
bow, with  the  dark  iolemnlty  of  a  moll  ferious  g-jrb. 
They  are  mufic  playing  in  the  ears  of  a  man,  whofe 
houfe  is  on  fire,  and  can  only  beguile  \\it  moment,  which 
fhould  be  fpent  in  faving  all  the  valuables  of  his  furni- 
ture, and  efcaping  for  his  life.  Dil'jourfes  of  this  na- 
ture fliould  alaim  the  confcience  ;  {liould  difplay  ar  once 
our  mifery  and  tlie  moi1e  of  cure  ;  fliould  probe  all  the 
rankling  fores  of  the  heart,  and  pour  in  the  precious 
oil  of  d'vine  confohitlon. 

Sterne  was  a  very  great,  eccentric,  original  genius, 
but  h^  was  never  formed  for  a  cIerg)mMn.  He  had  a 
leviiy  of  mind,  that  ill  befitted  fo  ferious  a  charader. 
What  painrtr,  in  fancying  an  altar-piece,  would  have 
grouped  a  beau  d'cfprit,  ox  a  facetious  bc}i  vivanty  witli 
our  Saviour  and  his  apoftles  at  the  laft  fupper  t 

*  Rev.  Mr.  O n,  Reftor  of  W n. 


YOUNGLADY.  29 

LETTER        XVII. 

X  HE  Chriftlan  Pattern  will  abundantly  recommend 
itfelf  by  the  name.  The  tranflatlon  of  it  by  Stanhope, 
13  too  dlffufe.  Wefley  has,  more  faithfully,  preferved 
the  fpirit  and  concife  energy  of  the  excellent  original. 

The  fingular  merit  of  this  little  book  is  obvious  from 
its  tranflatlon  into  almoft  all  languages.  Ganganelli 
afcrihes  it,  with  pride,  to  an  Italian  author.  But, 
whatever  country  gave  it  birth,  it  is  filled  with  a  facred 
unftion,  and  "  the  wifdom  which  cometh  from  above." 
Head  a  chapter  of  it  every  day,  and  you  will  never 
want  a  fund  of  chrillian  meditations. 

There  is  more  true  piety  and  information,  couched 
in  Reflexions  on  the  feven  Days  of  the  Week,  by  Mis. 
Talbot,  than  you  will  fometimes  meet  with  in  large  and 
fplendid  volumes.  You  cannot  have  a  better  train  of 
reflexions  for  the  beginning  of  your  every  day.  Ttiis 
good  lady  lived  in  the  family  of  Archbifliop  Seeker, 
and  feems  to  have  im.bibed  that  fpirit  of  piety,  which 
fo  eminently  diftinguiflied  this  illuftrious  prelate.  She 
13  long  fince  dead  ;  but  her  little  book  will  live  in  the 
hearts  of  the  pious,  when  time  has  tarnifhed  all  the 
luftre  of  more  founding  names, 

I  have  always  thought,  that  little,  fliort  treatifcs  of 
this  kind  have  done  the  moft  extenfive  good.  We  crii 
carry  ihem  about  us,  and  the  fize  dors  not  deter  us 
from  looking  nvithin.  People  will  not  read  large  trea- 
tifes  of  religion,  and  writers,  in  this  refpeft,  fiiould 
accommodate  themfelves  to  the  weakncfs  of  mankind. 
Tender  ftomachs  cannot  digeft  rich,  fubfiantial  food, 
nor  much,  at  a  time, 

Addifon^s  Saturday's  papers  are  all  of  them  inimi- 
table. They  contain  a  rich  fund  of  knowledge  and 
entertainment,  raife  the  imagination,  and  improve  the 
heart.  The  good  man  very  judicioufly  appointed  them 
for  Saturdays.  They  are  the  bell  preparatives  for  be- 
ing *'  truly  in  the  fpirit,  on  the  Lord's  day." 

Scott    is  not,  perhaps,  a  lively  or  entertaining  wri- 


30  LETTERS     TO     A 

ler;  but  his  Chriaian  Life  is  a  raoft  excellent  and  r«- 
//c;W  fyrtem  of  divinity.  Indeed  riibjeds  of  this  na- 
ture  do  not  admit  of  fo  much  rolouring,  as  fome  othcri. 
Imagination  may  better  lend  its  charms  to  painters, 
poets,  orators,  than  to  fyftematic  divines.  I  think, 
liowever,  that,  even  on  facred  topics,  genius  mi^ht 
more  frequently,  embcllifh,  than  it  does.  Young  peo- 
pie  will  have  language,  pathos  and  piaurefque  images, 
or  they  will  not  read.  Some  little  condefccnfion  is  dv.t 
to  their  weaknefs.  Children  mud  be  cheated  into  the 
taking  of  ufeful  medicines.  The  pill  (hould  be  gilded, 
and  the  bitter  mixed  with  a  fweet. 


LETTER        XVIII. 


T 


HE  immortal  Locke  analyzed  the  powers  of  the 
human  underflanding.  Mafon  on  Self-knowledge  is 
the  anatomift  of  the  heart.  If  you  would  fee  yourfelf 
in  your  true  colours,  you  muft  he  daily  convcrfant  with 
tliis  book.  You  fhould  take  it  to  your  pillow,  when 
you  go  to  fleep.  You  fhould  read  it,  when  you  rife. 
It  has,  however,  in  my  idea,  one  capital  defcd.  It  it 
too  much  ramified  into  heads,  divifions  and  fubdivifions. 
The  fize  of  the  houfe  is  too  fmall  for  the  numerous 
apartments. 

Though  I  am,  by  no  means,  partial  to  the  latter, 
fanciful  writings  of  Mr.  Law,  I  will  venture  to  recom- 
mend the  two  firft  books  he  ever  produced,  his  Serious 
Call,  and  Chriftian  Perfeftion.  They  are  very  awaken- 
ing, animated  treatifes,  written  with  great  fimplicity 
of  llyle,  (Ircngth  of  argument,  and  originality  of  man- 
ner. His  Miranda  is  a  very  amiable  charadter;  and, 
though  her  piety  has  fomething  of  the  monafiic,  in  its 
air,  there  are  traits  in  the  portrait  that  deferve  your 
emulation. 

One  cannot  rccolleft  the  legitining  of  this  good  man's 
life,  when  his  conceptions  were  fo  clear,  and  his  man- 
ner fo  impaflioned,  without  fhuddering  at  the  danger 
of  giving  way  to  fanciful  theories,  orvifionary  writers. 


Y  O  U  N  G    L  A  D  Y.  31 

It  is  wonderful,  that  fo  very  difcriminating  a  genius 
Hiould  have  been,  afterwards,  (hackled  with  the  fpiri- 
tual  chemlftry,  and  the  unintelligible  rhapfodies  of 
Behmen.  But  even  the  great  and  amiable  Fenelon  was 
the  difciple  of  a  vifionary.  He,  who  wrote  Telemachus, 
fell  into  reveries.  "  We  have  this  treafure  in  earthen 
'*  veffels,  and  it  ^il/he  tinged  with  our  particular  com- 
plexions." 

LETTER        XIX. 

Y  OUNG's  Night-Thoughts  have  confiderable 
merit,  and  may  occafiona/fyt  be  read  with  advantage. 
But  they  are  much  difcoloured  with  melancholy,  and 
give  chriftianity,  which  is  w^/ar^/Zy  cheerful,  too  dark 
a  complexion. 

Born  with  no  (lender  fiiare  of  ambition,  Young  had 
anxioufly  and  un Cue cejs fully  courted  proniotion.  The 
bubble  always  burft,  as  he  atrcmpted  to  grafp  \\.  \  the 
ignis  fattius  deluded  him,  as  il  has  done  ihoufirds  be- 
(ides.  Difappointmcnt  is  generally  followed  \vi:h  dif- 
guft,  and  difguft  will  always  diftate  to  the  pea. 

With  all  that  fenfibility,  which  is  the  infeparable 
concomitant  of  genius,  the  author  of  the  Night- 
Thoughts  had  likewife  the  misfortune  to  be  deprived, 
by  an  early  death,  of  feveral  of  thofe  relatives,  from 
whofe  tender  offices  and  foothing  attentions,  he  might 
naturally  have  expefted,  in  the  evening  o^  z.  gloomy  life, 
to  have  received y^^wf  confolation.  His  poems,  there- 
fore, have  much  the  ftrain  of  Elegy,  and  his  piety  is 
breathed  in  fighs.  But  his  Night-Thoughts  have 
awakened  many  into  ferloufnefs,  and  you  muft  take 
them,  as  you  do  all  other^  human  things,  with  their 
good  and  their  bad.  The  brighteft  pearl  is  furrounded 
with  a  mud.  It  is  the  bufinefs  of  tafte  and  judgment 
to  make  the  feparation. 

The  works  of  Wilfon  (the  once  bi(hop  of  Sodor  and 
Man,)  are  a  treafure  of  plain,  />r^i7/V^/ devotion.  Hit 
Indian  inftrufted,   his  Parochialiaf    his  Sacra  Frivatat 

C4 


32  LETTERSTOA 

and  his  treatife  on  the  facramcnt,  are  all  ferious  and 
int  ere  (ling. 

I'h.s  gcdd  prelate  has  not  difplayed  much  genius  or 
learning.  But  his  writings  are  uleful,  in  proportion 
to  tlieir  plainncfs,  and  will  edify  thoufands,  who  could 
n'.'ver  have  comprehended  the  depths  of  learning,  or  the 
fuhtiities  of  metaphyfics. 

Thrown  into  an  ignorant  2iX\^  fuperjlitious  diocefs,  he 
fto-pcd  to  the  level  of  the  meantft  ur.dcrf^anding.  He 
confidered  himfelf  as  the  father  of  his  people,  and  they 
paid  him  a  fiiial  duty  and  refpedl.  The  Iflandery?/// 
vir.ts  his  grave,  and  weeps  at  the  rccoUtdion  of  his 
dtccafeJ  virtues.  Such  bifhops  will  live  in  the  memo- 
ly  of  the  faithful,  when  fplendour  is  forgotten.  Hit 
labours  were  unremitting,  his  zeal,  primitive;  and  if 
lie  gave  no  brilliance  to  the  mitre,  he  added  to  \\,^Jo\id 
n-cioht. 

LETTER        XX. 

J.  HE  meditations  of  St.  Auftin  are  admirable, 
but  have  fuffered  not  a  little  from  the  tranflaticn.  It 
is,  I  ftill  repeat  it,  in  thefe  old  books,  that  we  chiefly 
find  the  true  fpirit  of  piety.  Has  it  evaporated,  like 
iom^  mineral  waters,  by  a  long  prefervation  ?  Or  is  it 
that  we  would  be  men  of  philofophy  and  criticifm,  ra- 
ther than  divines?  A  //^^^i/tr;?  theologian  plays  about 
the  keadi  but  fcarcely  warms  the  heart  ;  an  ancient  wri- 
ter carries  us,  by  an  irrefiftible  impulfe,  into  heaven, 
and  fills  us  with  all  the  raptures  of  devotion. 

The  difference  will  be  very  forcibly  illuft rated  by 
the  different  con(lru6lion  of  ancient  and  modern  church- 
es. The  wide  magnificence,  the  luminous  darknefs, 
the  mouldering  walls  and  long  drawn  aile  of  golhic 
rtructures  infpire  us  with  a  pleafing  melancholy, thought- 
fulnefs  and  devotion  ;  whilll  the  glaring  light,  artificial 
ornaments,  primnefs  and  convenience  of  our  ?/wdern 
fynagogues  fill  U3  only  with  little,  'worldly  ideas  of  ele- 
gance  and  lafle. 


YOUNG     LADY.  33 

Beveridge's  private  thoughts  and  rcfoUitions  richly 
deferve  z  place  in  your  colleclion.  They  are  not  ani- 
mated or  elegant,  but  they  are  pious  and  ufcful.  He 
is  one  of  thofe  hofpitabie  friends,  that  gives  us  a  very 
comfortable  and  rich  repad  without  ceremony  or  often- 
tation. 

Taylor  is  the  Shakefpeare  of  divinity.  The  fertility 
of  his  invention,  the  force  of  his  arguments,  the  rich- 
nefs  of  his  images  and  the  copioufnefs  of  his  (lyle  are 
not  often  to  be  paralleled  in  the  works  of  ancient  or 
modern  writers.  His  holy  living  and  dying  is  a  c/:ief 
d^csuvre, 

I  do  not  remember  to  have  received  more  pleafure 
and  improvement  from  any  book,  that  1  have  read  for 
fome  time  paft,  than  from  the  two  firft  volumes  of  Gan- 
ganelli's  Letters.  Befides  being  furprifed  to  fee  fucli 
a  generous  mode  of  thinking  in  the  fovereign  pontiff, 
fo  much  vivacity  in  a  vionk^  tempered  with  fo  great  a 
fliare  of  unaffefted  piety,  I  was  quite  charmed  with  the 
fimplicity  of  his  ftyle,  the  beauty  of  his  metaphors,  and 
that  fpii  it  of  philanthrophy,  which  pervades  the  whole,, 
and  does,  all  along,  more  honour  to  his  heart,  than  his 
eafy  periods,  to  his  underftanding. 

There  is  fomething  in  the  climate  of  Italy,  which 
wonderfully  heats  and  fublimes  the  imagination.  It  is 
the  gaiden  of  Europe,  and  its  writers  breathe  that 
agreeable  perfume  with  which  it  is  fcented.  Ganga- 
nelli's  dtfcription  of  this  country  is  particularly  fplen- 
did.  His  (latues  breattie.  His  torrents  abfolutcly 
murmur  on  the  ear.  His  cliffs  have  an  impending  hor- 
ror on  the  fancy,  and  his  gardens  waft  upon  us  aroma- 
tic fmells.  1  would  ftill  gladly  hope,  notwithflanding 
all  that  has  been  advanced  to  the  contrary,  that  thefe 
letters  really  came  from  this  didinguillied  perfon.  1 
am  not  v/illing  to  give  up  the  idea,  that  liberality 
of  fentiment  has  extended  itfelf  even  to  the  papal 
thrpne. 


C5 


34  LETTERS     TOA 

LETTER        XXI. 

MY    DEAR    LUCY, 

X  O  U  would  obferve  from  the  complexion  of  my 
laft  letter,  that  I  have  recommended  writers  of  very 
different  fe<fls,  and  from  various  denominations  of  chri- 
fllans.  The  truth  Is,  I  have  confidered  theiry^;V;V  and 
tendency^  and  not  their  name  or  party.  I  do  not  want 
to  make  you  a  methodift,  a  diffenter,  a  myftic,  a  pa- 
pifl,  a  fanatic,  an  enthufiafl,  or  any  thing  but  a  real 
chriftian.  I  (hould  wifh  to  dived  your  mind  of  every 
fpecies  of  bigotry,  and  convince  you,  that  real  piety 
has  exifted  under  every  communion. 

When  your  judgment  is  more  matured,  you  fhould 
examine  authors  of  all  different  perfuafions,  as  the  Gre- 
cian artift  did  women,  when  he  wifhed  to  paint  his  Ve- 
nus of  Medici.  He  feledled  from  every  one  he  faw^ 
the  patlcular  limb  or  feature,  in  which  they, /'/>^rtf/(?- 
/>■,  excelled.  From  one,  he  borrowed  the  moll  beau- 
tiful eye  ;  from  another,  an  hand  ;  from  a  third,  a 
bofom,  &c.  Thefe,  by  a  wonderful  effort  of  genius, 
be  combined  into  a  perfeft  whole. 

All  fyftems,  like  all  human  figures,  have  their  defefts; 
but  they  have,  llkewife,  their  excellencies.  Colledt 
thefe,  diftlnft  charms,  and  work  them  up  In  the  cru- 
cible of  your  heart,  till  they  produce  *'  the  very  beauty 
of  holinefs"  in  your  life  and  coverfatlon. 

Above  all,  look  through  all  books  and  forms  and 
ordinances,  up  to  your  God.  Cherifli,  by  eveiy  me- 
thod, a  fpirit  of  devotion.  Set  the  Lord  always  be- 
fore you.  Confider  him,  as  they#«/of  the  world,  the 
Alpha  and  Omega,  the  beginning  and  the  end.  Think, 
aft,  live,  as  in  his  prefence,  and  do  every  thing  to  hi» 
glory.  Begin,  continue  and  end  every  day,  as  in  his 
fight,  and  every  adlion,  as  under  his  dlredllon.  Re- 
member that  all  things  on  earth  are  but  a  fliadow  ;  that 
time  Is  tumbling  down  the  fyflera  of  the  univerfe,  and 
that  religion  only  can  rife  upon  the  ruins,  by  the  labour^ 
Jt  has  iDfcrlbed  to  Eternity  and  God. 


YOUNG    LADY.  sy 


LETTER        XXII. 


MY    DEAR    GIRL, 

JL  HOUGH  it  may  appear  to  be  dealing  with 
you  in  dry,  abftrafted  fuhjedis  above  your  age,  yet  I 
do  think  it  necefTary,  that  you  fhould  underftand  the 
grounds,  on  which  your  faith  is  built,  or  the  teftimo- 
ny  which  confirms  the  truth  of  chriftlanity,  and  of  the 
fcriptures.  You  will  thus  be  preferved  from  an  uncom* 
fortable  fluctuation  of  opinions,  and  guarded  from  the 
falfe  iiifinuatlons  cf  thofe,  that  lie  in  wait  to  deceive. 

I  believe,  indeed,  we  very  falfely  eftlmate  the  peri- 
od, at  which  the  talents  of  women  begin  to  open,  as 
well  as  the  degree  of  their  extent  and  comprehenfion, 
and  fupercilloufly  withhold  from  you,  that  folid  infor- 
mation which,  alone  in  either  fex,  can  be  the  true  foim- 
dation  of  a  rational,  a  fteady  and  confident  conduft. 

This  tcftlmony  in  favour  of  revelation,  is  divided, 
for  the  fake  of  order,  into  two  kinds,  inier/ja/  ^nd  ex- 
terna/. The  internal  is  that,  which  arifts  from  the  na- 
ture and  excellency  of  the  precepts  themfehes,  and  from 
the  writer's  having  had  no  private  or  finider  views  to 
anfwer,  but  confulting  only  the  genera/  good  and  edi- 
fication of  mankind. 

This/r/?  mark  of  authenticity  Is  fixed  on  every  page 
of  the  fcriptures.  The  hiv/s  of  Chrlft  rirj  of  fuch  a 
nature,  as  no  man  Vv'ould  have  frasned,  vvhowifhcd  to 
avail  himfelf  of  the  pafli ons,  prejudices  and  intcrelts  of 
mankind  ;  for  they  prefcribe,  on  the  other  hand,  an 
unlverfal  humility,  mortification  and  felf-denial  ;  ex- 
hibit, in  the  ftrongefl  colours,  the  emptlnefs  of  riches, 
and  the  vanity  cf  ambition  ;  and  have  no  other  view, 
but  to  elevate  the  a{fe(5\ions,  regenerate  the  heart,  and 
put  all  men  on  looking  beyond  the  tranfient  concerns 
of  this  life,  to  the  happincfs  of  another.  What  elfi; 
could  happen  to  the  original  promulgers  of  thefe  lawSj 
but  that,  which  a{}ua/iy  did,  violence  and  perfecuiion? 

Our  blcfled  Lord  pofitively  declared,  thythis  king- 


36  L  E  T  T  E  R  S     T  O     A 

dom  was  not  of  this  world.  He  fought  none  of  Its  dif- 
linclions,  and  he  received  none,  unlefs,  by  a  llrange 
pcrvcrfian  of  idea?,  wc  place  them  in  the  poverty  of  a 
manger,  or  the  tortures  of  his  crofs.  His  ap^JlUs  were 
iiiilimed  with  the  very  fame,  diJintereJieJ  ztd\.  They 
uiiiiiigly  refigned  lucrative  employments  at  the  call  of 
iheir  raaflcr;  they  cheerfully  abandoned  weeping  friends; 
undertook  the  moll  hazardous  voyages  and  travels  ;  had 
no  reft  day  or  night,  were  carried  before  kings  and 
governors  of  the  earth,  •*  and  even  liated  by  all  men 
'*  for  his  name's  fake." 

Read  the  account  of  their  labours,  perfecution,  ba- 
riifhment,  death  ;  perufe  the  hillory  of  all  the  martyrs, 
written  with  their  blood,  and  tell  me,  whether  their 
zeal  maft  not  have  come  from  heave?!,  or  what  could 
ever  have  Infpired  it,  but  a  fincere  convldlion  of  duty, 
*'  a  faith,  which  looked  to  a  city  with  foundations^ 
"  whofe  builder  and  maker  was  God." 


LETTER        XXIIL 

X  H  I  N  K,  my  dear  girl,  for  yourfelf.  Are  the  re- 
any  marks  of  fecular  wifdom  or  policy  or  impodure, 
in  the  cor.dud  of  the  primitive  apoftles  and  chriftians  I 
Eiiannne  the  hillory  of  the  whole  world,  as  it  relates 
to  religion,  and  where  clfe  will  you  difcover  any  por- 
tion of  the  fame,  dlfintercfted  fpirit,  which  adttiated 
thefe  original  publifliers  of  the  gofpel  ? 

The  Roman  emperor  inftituted  a  facred  code  to  work 
upon  the  confcleiiccs,  and  to  keep  the  minds  of  a  favage 
and  a  barLarous  people  in  fubjedion  Xo  government, 
Zoroallcr,  Lycurgus,  Solon,  all  celebrated  in  their 
day,  and  c^-rtainly  men  of.  extraordinary  talents,  had 
more  a  view  \.o  policy y  than  any  ;,v/jr<7/ iniertfts,  in  their 
rer:}edivc  fyftems  of  legiflation.  Mahomet  availed  him- 
felf  of  ihe  narrow,  Jenjunl  views,  and  pafiions  of  his 
followers,  and  of  the  particular  complexion  and  dlfien- 
fions  of  his  times,  merely  to  be  the  fo!e,  exclufivc  mo- 
narch of  an  extenfive  empire,  and  procure  aliltle,  fad- 
ing honour  and  diftindion. 


Y0UNGLADY.  37 

*'  The  kingdom  of  all  theje  men  was  certainly  of  this 
*'  world,"  and  their  laws,  in  many  inftanccs,  were 
repugnant  to  right  re^fon,  and  the  bell  and  deareft  in- 
terefts  of  their  fellow  creatures.  Of  Chrift,  his  very 
enermes  faid,  **  never  man  fpake  like  this  man  ?"  his  in- 
jun6lions  had  but  one  afpefl — to  univerj'al  happinefs, 
and  one,  fimple  method  to  it — univerfal  refor??iation. 
The  angels  that  announced  him,  at  his  firft  appearance, 
proclaimed,  **  peace  on  earth,  and  good-will  towards 
*<  men." 

Nor  is  the  wonderful  progress  of  this  religion,  in  fo 
Jljort  a  fpace  of  time,  over  ali  Alia,  and  a  great  part 
of  Europe,  indeed  over  almoll  the  tx-Z-c/*?  of  the,  theriy 
known  world,  the  lead  convincing  proof  of  its  divine 
original.  Confidcr  the  mifionaries — illiterate  fifliermen 
and  mechanics,  and  you  muft  conclude,  either  that 
they  were  endowed  w'\\.\\fupeniaturalg\hs  and  afliftance, 
or  that  their  wonderfuly«c<:^/r  was  even  a  greater  w/r^^ 
cUy  than  the  endowment,  you  difpute. 

On  this  fubjed,  permit  me  to  recommend  to  your 
ferious  pcrufal,  Soame  Jenyns's  Internal  Evidence  of 
the  ChrilHan  Religion.  He  is,  on  the  whole,  a  fan- 
ciful writer  ;  but  this  is  an  excellent,  little  book,  that 
has  done  much  good,  and  comes  with  greater  force,  tQ 
every  bofom,  as  he  was  once,  according  to  his  own 
candid  confeflion,  in  the  number  of  thofe,  who  difput- 
ed  the  facred  truths  of  revelation.  You  will  receive  great 
pleafure  and  improvement,  likewife  from  Addifon's  Evi- 
dences of  Chriftianity,  arranged  and  collected  into  one 
volume,  and  from  a  late,  fimilsr  produdlion  of  the  ce- 
lebrated Dr.  Beattie. 

Every  lyi-n/ of  the  fcriptures,  indeed,  mufl  convince 
any  candid  or  thoughtful  perfon,  that  they  come  from 
God.  The  palTions,  pride,  vices  and  interefts  of  man- 
kind have  induced  not  a  few  to  fet  up  for  fceptics. 
*'  Much  learning  has  made  them  mad,"  or  a  little  has 
rendered  them  frivolous  and  conceited.  They  have 
fought  only  to  diftlnguifh  thcmfelves  by  uncommon 
opinions;  they  have  been  dupes  to  \.\\(:\r  owrx  fane  it  d 
penetration  ;  they  have  attempted  to  grafp  the  immen- 
fity  of  the  Deity,  in  arms  ol  jiejJj^  or  have  fhrunk  into 
fccpticifm,  as  a  refuge  from  their  vices. 


5S  LETTERS    TO     A 

Hear  what  the  fcripture  faith,  **  Every  one,  that 
**  doeth  evil,  hateth  the  light,  neither  cometh  to  the 
**  light,  left  his  deeds  flioiild  be  reproved.  Except  yc 
**  become  as  little  children,  (humble,  docile,  tra£la- 
•*  ble,)  ye  cannot  enter  iiito  the  kingdom  of  heaven. 
**  How  can  yc  believe,  which  receive  honour  one  of 
**  another,  and  feek  not  the  honour,  which  cometh  of 
"  God  only  ?" 


LETTER         XXIV. 


T 


H  E  exterTial  teflimony,  in  favour  of  the  chriftian 
religion,  arifes  from  prophecy,  miracles,  and  the  cor- 
refponding  evidence  of  hiitory.  And  thefe  feem  to 
include  all  the  probable  methods,  which  heaven  could 
employ  for  the  converfion  of  mankind. 

The  whole  facred  book  of  the  Old  Teftament  is,  from 
beginning  to  end,  a  clear  prediftion  of  the  Mefliah. 
One  of  the  prophets  has  foretold  the  precife  year,  ia 
which  this  *'  righteous  branch"  fhould  make  his  ap- 
pearance. And  this  event,  you  know,  has  taken  place, 
to  the  comfort  of  the  chriftian  world. 

Others  have  predidled  the  deftruftion  of  Jerufalem, 
Babylon,  Tyre,  the  difperfion  and  calamities  of  the 
Jews,  &;c.  long  before  they  happened  ;  and  all  profane 
hiftory,  which  has  been  written  fince  their  time,  will 
inform  you,  that  thefe  awful  judgments  were  wonder- 
fully accomplifhed,  in  their  proper  feafon. 

The  Revelation  contains  darker  hints  of  fome  events, 
that  are  vifibly  \.\\o\ig\i gradually  fulfilling,  at  this  mo- 
ment. But  as  I  can  on\y  glance  at  the  fubjed,  you  will 
fee  it  treated  in  fuch  a  manner,  as  to  confirm  your  faith 
and  exalt  your  devotion,  in  the  late  Bifhop  of  Briftoi 
(Dr.  Newton's,)   difconrfes  on  the  Prophecies. 

The  miracles  of  our  Saviour  and  of  his  immediate 
apoftlcs  meet  you  in  every  page  of  the  infpired  book  ; 
and  in  profane  hx^ory^  you  will  learn  from  thofe,  who 
were  avowed  enemies  to  the  caufe,  that,  at  a  particular 
period  of  time,  there  did  exift  fuch  a  facred  perfonagc, 


YOUNG     LADY.  39 

as  Jefiis  Clirlft,  who  wrought  miracles,  healed  the  fick, 
and  raifcd  the  dead  ;  fuch  a  fc6l,  as  that  of  Chriftians, 
who  met  to  receive  the  facrament,  who  bound  themfelves 
by  this  oath,  to  commit  no  iniquity,  pradlifed  a  won- 
derful innocence  and  aufterity  of  manners,  and,  beyond 
all  example,  loved  one  another.  You  will  fee  likewlfe, 
in  the  fame  pages,  a  full  defcription  of  their  manners, 
morals,   ceremonies  and  religious  inftitutions. 

The  lapfe  of  time,  moreover,  to  us,  who  live  in  thefc 
later  timefc,  has  given  an  additional  force  to  the  evi- 
dences, in  favour  of  revelation.  The  ingenious  author 
of  the  Spe6\ator,  in  his  day,  confidered  the  particular 
cafe  of  the  Jews,  their  calamities,  difpetfion,  vagabond, 
unfettled  dale,  &:c,  as  a  landing  incontcftable  ifiiracle^ 
in  fupport  of  the  facrcd  writir.gs.  They  Jiill  continue 
(what  is  there  fo  circutnflantialy  foretold,)  unable  to 
incorporate  with  any  people,  and  loaded  with  the  ha- 
tred and  abhorrence  of  all.  The  teftimony,  therefore 
from  their  hiftory  is  proportionably  more  illuftrated  and 
confirmed. 

The  deftruc^ion  of  the  Romlfh  church,  likewlfe,  13 
palpably  predidled  in  the  fcriptures;  And,  if  we  may 
judge  from  ftrong  appearances,  is  daily  approaching. 
The  great  and  general  diffufion  of  knowledge  ;  the  con- 
fequent  progrefs  of  religious  toleration,  and  that  dlf- 
perGon  of  the  mifta  of  prejudice  from  all  eyes,  produced 
by  the  genial  rays  of  a  meridian  fun,  muft,  In  time, 
effedl  the  downfall  of  all  tyranny  and  fuperftltion  : 
whiKl  the  emperor,  employed  in  deftroying  monafteries, 
and  encouraging  population,  appears  an  inftrument  in 
the  hand  of  Providence,  for  accelerating  the  approach 
of  this  aufpicious  moment.  The  late  difmemberment, 
moreover,  of  territory  from  the  Holy  See  ;  the  con- 
tentions, In  which  the  f-jverelgn  pontiff  has  been  Involved 
by  thofe  monarchs,  who  once  trembled  at  his  frown  ; 
and  the  mere  external  deference  only,  which  is  paid  to 
his  authority,  prove  that  his  throne  is  tottering  from  its 
bafe,  and,  like  all  other  human  things,  approaching 
to  its  diiTolution.  Thus  is  our  holy  religion  founded 
on  a  rock,  againll  which  the  winds  and  waves  of  infi- 
delity beat  in  vain.  Proud  men  may  reafon,  and  wicked 
men  pretend  to  doubt,  but  *'  the  very  gates  of  htii 
(h^ll  ujt  prevail  againl\  it,'* 


40  LETTERS    TO     A 

LETTER         XXV. 

MY    DEAR    LUCY, 


W^ 


O  N  D  E  R  not  at  the  dlverfity  of  opinions  in 
religion.  It  has  been  from  the  ^^'^/V;/;/'/;^,  and  will  con* 
tinue  to  be  the  cafe,  to  the  etjdy  of  the  world.  Men 
will  never  have  the  fame  religious  fentiments,  till  you 
can  give  them  the  very  fame  ;;^/'«r<^/difpofitions  of  hu- 
mility, candour,  teachablenefs ;  the  fame  capacity, 
education,  acquaintance,  or  even  the  fame  fet  of  fea- 
tures or  the  fame  complexion. 

The  hiftory  of  the  church,  from  the  firfl:  moment,  to 
the  prcfent,  is  an  hiftory  of  thefe  diflenfions.  So  foon 
as  Chrift  and  his  apoftles  dlfappeared,  men  mixed 
**  tares  of  human  opinion  with  this  good  feed  of  the 
word."  Even  two  of  thefe  apoflles  had  a  flnirp  con- 
tention, and  the  fplrit  4ias  never  vanlfhed  from  their 
fuccefTors. 

There  has  been  the  fame  fafhion  In  religious  opinions, 
as  In  common  things.  Particular  notions  have  been 
abbetted,  laid  afide,  refumed  and  dlfmiffed  again,  under 
different  names  and  leaders,  exaftly  like  the  varying 
modes  of  drefs,  furniture  or  entertainments. 

Nor  is  this  the  leaft  Impeachment  of  our  holy  reli- 
gion. The  truth  of  that,  like  the  God,  whence  It 
comes.  Is  the  "  fame  yefterday,  today,  and  for  ever." 
It  is  referved,  as  the  privilege  of  a  more  glorious  era, 
that  all  men  fhall  be  of  one  "  heart  and  of  one  foul, 
and  keep  the  unity  of  the  fplrit  in  the  bond  of  peace." 

In  all  hufuan  fyftems  of  faith,  there  muft  be  error. 
Wl;ere  error  is  involuntary,  and  fprlngs  from  no  cruH' 
/>;^/ paflions,  but  only  from  a  weakne!"s  or  mlfdlrefiion 
of  judgment,  the  Almighty,  who  looketh  chiefly  at 
the  heart,  doubtlefs,  will  forgive.  Charity,  In  the 
mean  time,  Is  the  great  bond  of  union,  amongft  all 


Y  O  U  N  G     L  A  D  Y.  4t 

parties.  «*  They  fliall  come  from  the  ea ft,  and  from 
the  weft,  and  fit  down  In  the  kingdom  of  God." 
If  we  hope  to  be  companions  in  glory,  we  "  ftiould 
<*   not  furely  fall  out  by  the  way." 

The  chrirtian  blood,  which  has  ftained  fo  many  ages 
of  the  church,  ha«  flowed  from  the  moft  malignant  and 
felfifh  pafiions.  The  gofpel  breathes  nothing  but  uni- 
veifal  love,  and  candour  and  forbearance.  **  Ye  know 
<«  not  what  manner  of  fpiritye  are  of,"  is  the  mild  re. 
b\ike  to  every  perfecutor,  that  would  flay  with  the  fword. 


LETTER         XXVI. 


J.  HOUGH  it  IS  really  invidious ^  yet  for  the  fake 
of  direding  your  judgment,  and  gratifying  a  very  na- 
tural and  laudable  curiofity,  I  will  give  you  a  brief, 
comprehcnfive  flcctch  of  the  opinions  of  the  more  cele- 
brated religio'js  feds,  that  have  prtvailed  in  this  king- 
dom. You  will  thus  be  pble  to  form  fome  comparative 
idea  of  their  merits  or  deftcls  ;  you  will  not  be  fo  likely 
to  be  "  tofied  about  with  every  blaft  of  vain  dodrine," 
and  you  vviil  never  feel  yourfelf  at  a  lofs,  in  company, 
when  they  become  the  fubject  of  converfaliou. 

Pagans  ^x^  thofe  who  are  wholly  unenlightened  with 
revelation,  and  worftiip /V;?//,  inllcadofthe  true  God. 
Thtle  idols  have  been  various,  as  the  caprices  or  ima- 
ginations (;f  the  people,  amongft  whom  they  are  found  ; 
fometimes  fitlitious  beings,  fuch  as  Jupittr,  Apollo, 
Mercury,  Mars,  Juno,  Venus,  Minerva,  &c.  fome- 
times, good  qualities  perfonificd  ;  Faith,  Hope,  Vic- 
tory, Concord  ;  fometimes  animals,  as  Serpents,  Cro- 
codiles, &c.  or  even  vegetables;  as  lieck.  Onion, 
Garlic.  Thcfe  laft  were  objects  of  adoration  amongft 
the  Egyptians. 

Before  the  appearance  of  Chrift,  almoft  the  whole 
world  was  covered  with  paganifm.  All  the  learning 
and  politcnefs  of  Athens  and  of  Rome  could  not  difptl 


41  LETTERS    TO    A 

this  Ignorance.  It  has  only  vanlfhed  **  where  the  fui 
"  of  righteoufnefs  has  appeared  with  healing  in  his 
"  wings." 

An  ingenious  writer  has  fald,  that,  if  we  divide  the 
known  countries  of  the  globe  into  thirty  equal  parts, 
five  will  be  Chriftlans  ;  fix,  Mabometans,  zad  ninetee/j, 
Pagans,  how  dreadful  the  reflexion,  that  the  greateft 
of  all  poflible  bleflings  fliould  have  penetrated  but  fo 
fmall  a  way  !  When  we  confider  the  privileges  of  the 
gofpel,  how  gladly  woulJ  one  carry  it,  if  it  were  pof- 
fible,  into  every  country  of  the  known  world  !  How  ar- 
d<;ntly  fhould  we  pray  to  our  father  in  heaven,  that  hie 
kingdom  of  grace  may  daily  come  on  earth,  and  how 
thankful  fiiould  we  be  to  that  gracious  Providence,  that 
has  fixed  our  lot  in  a  chriilian  land,  and  under  the  en- 
livening beams  of  revelation  ! 


LETTER        XXVIL 

MY    ©EAR    GIRL, 


M, 


AHOMETANS  are  fo  called  from  being  fol- 
lowers of  the  great  impofcor,  Mahomet.  This  extraor- 
dinary man  was  born  at  Mecca,  in  Arabia,  about  the 
middle  of  the  fixth  century  ;  and,  in  his  fortieth  year, 
after  fome  time  prcvioufly  fpent  in  the  filence,  retire- 
ment and  auftericy  of  a  cave,  prcfumed  to  ftyle  hlmfelf, 
t/:'e  Apojlle  of  God ;  pretended  to  have  received  from 
heaven,  a  new  and  a  hji  rtvelation,  which  was  to  illuf- 
trate  and  inforce,  wliat  had  been  miftaken  or  perverted, 
in  the  ckrifttany  by  the  lapfe  of  time  or  the  fophiftry 
of  men.  He  affedled,  likewife,  a  commiflion  from 
above,  \^ gentler  methods  fhould  prove  ineffe^ual^  to 
propagate  his  particular  religion  by  the  fword. 

His  tenets  are  contained  in  the  Koran,  which,  for 
Its  fingularity,  is  worth  your  reading.  To  give  them 
plaufibility,  they  are  interfperfed  with  fome  chriilian 
dodrincs,  but,  at  the  fame  time,  carry  a  moft  artful 
addrefs  to  the  paflions }  allowing  polygamy,  and  de- 


YOUNG     LADY.  45 

fcribing  the  future  paradife,  as  confiding  principally^ 
of y^«/«<»/ pleafures  ;  fplendid,  filken  garments ;  rivers 
of  water,  wine,  milk,  honey  ;  mufic,  fealling,  and 
mod  beautiful  women. 

Mahomet  was  a  man  of  great  talents  and  ambition. 
He  had  no  view,  but  to  render  himfelf  the  fole  and 
formidable  monarch  of  an  extenfive  empire.  Religion 
v/as  made  the  injirument  for  executing  his  wicked  and 
tyrannical  defigns.  Hence  all  his  auftcrities,  difguifes, 
deceptions.  Hence  he  jiretcnded  fuch  a  familiar  inltr* 
ciHirfe  with  heaven,  and,  by  his  fingular  addrcfp,  fuund- 
ed  a  religion,  w  lu'ch  has  continued  fince  his  time, 
with  l}t:le  variation,  to  overipread  a  confidcrable  part 
of  the  world.  It  is  proFcflTed  by  the  Turks  and  Perfians, 
by  fcveral  nations  amongd  the  Africans,  and  by  many 
amongd  lie  Ead  Indians. 

The  outline  of  it  was  ficetched  by  the  hands  of  a 
great  mader.  It  was  fuited  to  the  climate  ;  it  took 
advantage  of  the  diforders  and  didenfions,  then  prevail- 
ing amongd  ChrilUans,  and  it  promifed  a  fpecies  of 
gratifications,  to  which  our  nature  will  alivays  feel  the 
flronged  propenlity. 

The  bulk  of  people,  in  any  country,  do  not,  indeed 
cannoty  think  or  judge  for  themfelves  ;  it  will  therefore, 
always  be  in  the  power  of  thofe,  who  have  any  popular 
talents,  to  make  the  multitude,  their  profelytcs  and 
/laves;  and  thus,  if  we  turn  over  the  hidory  of  the 
world,  fliall  we  find  the  ambition,  lud,  and  avarice  of 
a  yt'ou,  trampling  on  the  deared  intereds  of  the  many* 

•^>--<>-.<^^  <^5^<^^  ••<>—•<►•• 
LETTER        XXVni. 

MY    DEAR    LUCY, 


U. 


N  D  E  R  the  name  of  Chridians,  however  dif- 
fering from  each  other  in  private  opinions,  or  divided 
and  fubdivided  amongd  themfelves,  are  included  all 
thofe,  who  embrace  the  facred  revelation  and  dodlrine 
of  Jefus  Cbrift,  Amongd  thefe,  the  Roman  Catholics, 


44  LETTERS     TO     A 

both  in  point  of  numbers,  and  the  figure  they  have  made 
in  the  hiftory  of  Europe,  may  feem  to  claim  fome  de- 
gree of  precedence.* 

This  religi  V),  which  has  fubfifted  for  fuch  a  length 
of  lime,  and  covered  fo  confiderable  a  part  of  the  world, 
is  little  elfe  but  a  fyflem  o^ political  tyranny  e!labli(hed 
by  the  clercry,  over  the  confciences  and  fortunes  of  men, 
merely  to  enrich  and  aggrandize  tkemjelves.  They, 
who  fhould  have  afpired  to  no  other  greatnefs,  but  to 
become  the  fervants  of  all  for  thtir  eternal  good,  have 
undertaken  *'  to  lord  it  over  God's  heritage,  and  rule 
it  with  a  rod  of  iron." 

Can  any  thing  in  the  world  be  more  inconfiftent  ? 
The  Pope  in  all  the  plenitude  of  temporal  poA'er,  pre- 
f'jmptuoufly  ilyles  himfelf  the  vicar  general  oi  Jcfus 
ChriR  !  that  Jefus,  who  appeared  in  a  manger^  emptied 
himfeif  of  all  his  glory,  and  difclalmed  all  temporal 
greatnefs  and  diftintlion  ! 

The  public  worfliip  of  thepapifts  is  overloaden  with 
ceremony.  It  is  performed  in  a  /<f.7r;;:'ty  language,  un- 
known to  the  vulgar,  and  intermixed  with  fuch  a  con- 
tinual change  of  drefs,  attitude  and  ceremonies,  as 
are  only  calculated  to  excite  the  ridicule  of  a  rational  and 
enlighicnod  mind.  The  great.  Supreme  incomprchcn- 
fible  Spirit  is  only  to  be  ferveJ  with  the  heart  and  af- 
fedlions,  and  the  moll  unlearned  perfon  in  a  congre- 
gation fhould  furely  underftand  every  prayer,  that  is 
uttered. 

The  Roman  Catholics  acknowledge  the  B^pe  for 
their  head.  They  think  the  church  infallible  in  its 
counfels  and  declfions,  and  brand  all,  who  differ  from 
them,  with  the  odious  name  of  heretics ^  as  people  who 
are  not  within  the  pale  of  falvation.  They  keep  the 
minds  of  poor  people  in  ignorance  ;  they  do  not  permit 
them  to  read  the  fcripturcs,  but  refer  them  for  inllruc- 
tlon  folely  to  tiieir />r/<?/?/ ;  they  maintain  the  neccflity 
of  confefling  their  fins  and  frailties  to  their  paflor,  and 
the  validity  of  human  abfolution  ;  they  believe  the  ab- 

*  The  Roman  Catholic  religion  is  at  this  day  the  eftablifhed  reli- 
gion ol  the  following  Countries,  viz.  Portugal,  Spain,  France,  Italy, 
Bohemia,  Hungary,  Poland,  and  likewifc  part  of  Germany  arid 
SwifTcrland. 


YOUNGLADY.  45 

furd  and  incomprfhciifibl.  doflrlne  oi trafifuhjinnthtiony 
or  that  the  elements  of  bread  and  wine,  in  the  facra- 
ment,  ate  changed  into  the  reAl  body  and  blood  of 
Chrifl: ;  they  hav«i  been  accufed  of  worshipping  images  ; 
faints,  they  certainly  invoke,  to  be  medi-.«:ors  for  tiiem  ; 
they  have  fwelled  the  number  of  fnci-amtntH,  to  fevcn  ; 
thel'e  are  baplifm,  conlirmation,  the  vucharift,  penance, 
extreme  un^Hon,  holy  orders,  and  m;;rri:!ge  ;  they  ad- 
mit the  doctrine  of  a  p'-irgatory  after  death,  in  v^hich 
fouls  are  refined  from  thtir  former  ,;o!uti  ns  ;  they  for., 
bid  their  piielU  to  viarry^  preach  up  the  nectfiity,  or 
fuperior  fandity  oi  a  fingle  l.'.t'c,  and  induce  a^  many 
people  of  fortune,  as  poflible,  to  bury  ibcmfelves  in 
convents  and  monaflc  ries,  and  pour  their  fcirtunea  into 
the  bofom  of  the  church  ;  in  fome  of  the  more  corrupt 
a^es,  indulgences  for  the  greet te/?  crimes  rnivj,ht  be  pur- 
chafed  with  money,^  and  every  degree  of  guiU  has  bad  its 
ftated  fum  of  ac(]ulitance  ;  perlecution  for  confci.  r,ce 
fake,  has  been  detmed  meritorious,  and  their  annfila 
are  ftained  wi'l^  the  h!ood  of  thtjufands. 

There  arc,  dviibtlefs,  multiiudes  of  papifts,  who,  in 
an  enlighteneil  age.  jhudJer  at  many  of  thcfe  dreadful 
opinions,  an'l  laugh  at  others  ;  rlie  gay  au!  volatile 
people  of  Fraice,  in  general  ridi'ulc  them^//;  and 
ma':e  a  natural u^.w^X'Aow  from  the  extreme  of  fuperrii- 
tion,  to  that  of  uhbelief.  Whether  thefe  b'',  or  be 
not,  the  principles  of  ^\^<t  pref>:7it  members^  they  aie, 
in.lifputaMy,  the  eftablifhed  dodtrlitG  of  the  church, 
however  varnidied  over  by  art,  or  evaded  by  afftda- 
tion  ;  and  though  this  people  at  pref:nt,  are  loyal,  in- 
•offenfive  fubjcdls,  and  fceming^y  atidched  to  the  fove- 
reign  on  the  throne,  yet  theu;  is  reafon  to  fear,  that  a 
renewal  of  their  power  would  be  attended  with  a  repe- 
tition of  their  violence,  and  blow  u;>  Lht-  fccmingly  ex- 
tingu'diid  embers  of  hatred  and  perfecution.  Such  a 
many-headed  monfler  fliould  be  carefully  guarded. 
Delugts  of /t/w^/;  blood  are  not  to  be  forgotten. 

*  The  Telling  of  thcfc  indulgpnccs  by  John  Tcrzcl,  a  D:)minicaTi 
friar,  r  mfoH  thtlpiiit.  of  Dr.  Martin  Luthv-r,  profcllor  oi  DivLni.y  in 
the  Univerluy  of  WiUcnhcrg,  in  'he  f  l.dorare  of  Saxony,  Heciufed 
g,;  thffcs.  nopoiing  this  ahiifc  and  oihcr  errors,  to  be  printed  ard 
nailed  tothi  door  -f  the  EK  ftoral  Church,  06lobcr3i,  1517;  and 
this  was  tnc  bcginnmg  of  the  Reformation. 


4«  LETTERSTOA 

For  their  fake,  and  for  the  honour  of  Chrlrtianlty, 
I  do  mod  ardently  wifli  their  converfion.  I  long  to 
embrace,  as  brethren,  a  thoufand,  excellent  men,  who 
noiv  live,  as  I  cherlfh  the  memories  of  many,  who  have 
<//>i/,  within  their  communion.  Nor  do  I  think  the 
period  is  \tvy  dijijut,  Big^>try  cannot  much  longer  be 
a  weed  in  the  prefent  highly  cultivated  ftate  of  Great 
Britain.  I  liave  before  mentioned  the  emperor,  as  a 
probable  Inllrument  of  this  good  work.  His  ambition, 
I  truft,  will  thus  be  conf<;crated  to  the  glory  of  God, 
and  the  welfare  of  mankind.  The  happitll  events  we 
celebrate,  have,  fometimes,  fprinig  from  the  impurell 
paffions.  Our  own  reformation  from  this  church  was 
Jingularly  effeded.*  The  Almighty  can  bend  the 
counfels  of  men,  in  fuch  a  manner,  as  to  anfwcr  his 
fovereign  defigns.  "  He  doth  what  he  will,  in  the 
**  armies  of  heaven,  and  amongft  all  the  inhabitants  gf  * 
*«  the  earth." 

LETTER        XXIX> 

i  HE  Greek  church  is  much  lefs  known  amongll 
us,  as  to  its  dodrlne  or  difcipline,  than  the  Roman. 
Indeed  there  are,  comparatively,  but  few  members  of 
it  in  England.  It  was  firft  eftablifhed  in  Greece,  from 
whence  it  derived  its  name,  and  extends  to  fome  other 
part  of  Turkcyf .  It  is  often  called  the  eajterriy  in  con- 
tradiflinftion  to  the  Romifh,  which  is  the  'wejiertii 
church. 

Though  the  profeflors  of  this  religion  difavow  the  fu- 
premacy  of  the  Pope,  and  many  other  opinions  of  the 
Holy  See,  yet  they  are  confiderably  tinftured  with  fu- 
perftition.  Their  worftiip  is  overloaden  with  ceremony, 
lliew,  fplendid  drtffes,  faftings,  aulleriiies,  &c,  as  well 
as  the  former.  They  are  governed  by  blfhops  and  pa- 
triarchs. Their  head  is  the  patriarch  of  Conftantinople. 

•  In  the  rcigo  of  Henry  VIII.  +  It  Is  likewifc  the  eftablifhed 
Cfcurch  throughout  the  vaft  empire  of  Ruflia  in  Europe, 


Y  O  U  N  C    L  A  D  Y.  47 

LETTER        XXX. 

MY    DEAR    LUCY, 

\_J  I  S  S  E  N  T  E  R  is  a  vaguf  word,  whicli,  In  I'tt 
full  latitude,  may  be  applied  to  a//,  who  differ  from 
the  eftablifhed  religion.  Originally,  however,  it  meant 
only  one  kind  of  people,  tl-tn  diitinguiflitd  by  the  name 
of  prefbyterians,  who  rather  diffented  from  the  dijciplins 
and  polity^  than  the  opinions^  of  tlic  church.  Thefe, 
in  general,  embraced  \\it.  fctitinients  of  Calvin,  relating 
to  foreknowledge,  divine  decrees,  irrefidible  grace, 
predeftinatlon,  reprobation,  t^c.  They  difclaimed 
cpifcopacy,  and  their  government  was  veiled  In  pref- 
byters  and  fynods.  The  word  prrjbyter,  means  an  el- 
der, dinA JyKod,  an  eccltfiaftical  council  or  affemhly. 

The  prtjcnt  race  of  di (Tenters  may  be  ftrldly  fubdlvi- 
ded  Into  two  claiTcs  ;  thofe  who  ftlll  retain  the  dodrinet 
of  Calvin,  and  his  mode  of  dlfcipline,  and  call  them- 
felves,  from  their  form  of  government,  Independents; 
and  fuch,  as  affume  the  more  fpecious  title  of  pioteftant 
diffenters.  The  firft  are  extremely  rigid  and  puritani- 
cal In  their  outward  deportment  ;  but  they  do  not 
breathe  all  the /ii;^^/«<f// of  piety,  nor  are  their  annal$ 
iinftained  with  inftances  of  intolerance  and  perfecution. 
Their  leader  viz^  a  furious  and  unreientino-  bigot.  His 
murder  of  the  poor  honed  Servetus  will  be  an  eternal 
ftigma  on  his  memory,  and  throw  a  dark  fhade  over 
his  pretended  virtues. 

Indeed  how  can  people,  with  fuch  fentiments,  zOl 
Otherwife  ?  If  their  God  be  only  merciful  to  ^Lfenv, 
cledl,  how  fhould  they  think  of  a  ^(f»^r^/ benevolence  ? 
If  he  can  be  cruel  to  fo  many  millions  of  creatures, 
where  is  the  harm  of  imitating  his  example,  or  exter?ni- 
ft  a  ting  thoufands  P 

I  do  not  know  that  the  latter  kind  of  diffenters  have 
^ny  fettled  code  of  faiih.  **  Every  minlller  has  a  pfalm 
**  of  his  own,  has  a  dodlrine,  has  an  interpretation," 
f«  that  very  oppojite  fentiments,  may  be  confiflently  dc- 


48  LETTERS     TO     A 

livered  by  dlfftrent  perfons,  in  the  fame  pulpit.  They 
value  theinfelves  hi;^hly,  with  what  juftice,  on  their 
learning,  candour  and  liberality.  Far  from  being  ac- 
tuated with  any  blind  or  enthujlajiic  zeal,  they  Teem  to 
'LvorJ'hip  rcafon,  as  their  gui^le,  and  facrilegicufly  exalt 
it,  almort  on  the  i-nins  ot  revelatien.  Their  danger  is 
of  falling  in*')  fceplicifm,  the  moft  alarming  and  incu- 
rahle  of  all  fpiritual  diforders.  They  are  faid,  in  ge- 
neral, to  difbelieve  the  dodrine  of  the  Trinity,  of  the 
atoncnu-nt,  and  divinity  of  Chrfft,  and  unite  wit]i  the 
Calvinilts,  in  on:  fentiment,  at  leaft — that  ot  .ibhorring 
epifcopacy,  and  of  confidcring  the  eftabiiilici  church, 
as  a  lylleiTj,  raifed  by  prujlcrafty  and  fupported  by 
fiiperjlltion, 

^  ..<>.....^>..<S><^<S2>"<>-"-<>- 

LETTER        XXXI. 


jt  K  E  methodifts  are  cowparativcly  a  new  fc5^,  and 
fprunir  up,  ?.bout  llxty  years  av(r»,  Uiidcr  the  auTpiccs 
of  JohnWcfley,  and  George  WhitReld,  ihtr.  ftudents 
at  Oxford.  The)  reccivtd  their  nnme,  frnni  utfc6king 
to  live  by  a  iiritter  regimen  and  7nr.thod^  than  ether 
people. 

Tl'ey  have  been  long  divided  into  two  claffjs,  accord* 
ing  to  the  different  principles,  tli^cufed  by  their  lead- 
ert.  The  firll  f()llovved  the  opinions  of  Arminius,  un- 
der the  guidance  of  Weflty,  who  isy//7/a  very  vene- 
rable looking  patriarch,  at  their  head  ;  and  the  other, 
believing  divine  decrees,  foreknowledge,  reprobation 
and  eledion,  are  more  flriftly  members  of  the  kirk, 
(only  that  they  do  not  aditilt  its  difcipline)  having 
long  fjnce  loft  their  original ^n^di^r,* 

I  do  not  know,  th.it  the  methodifts,  (particularly 
they,  vho  follow  Weflty,  *  are  diffenters  from  the  efta- 
blilhmeut,  further  than  in  having  feparate  meetings  to 


•  Cf-orge  WliitficH.  Both  before  and  fince  his  (^cath,  the  Count- 
efs  cl  Mupiifj^rc^on  •  as  been  a  pcrfon  of  great  influence  among  thi» 
latter  cla!s  ot  Alcthodift«. 


Y  O  U  N  G    L  A  D  Y.  4^ 

inkindlc  and  Infpi.it  the  zeal  of  their  followers  ;  a  clf* 
cumdance,  which  tbcy  conceive  to  be  much  negU'ded 
by  the  regular  clergy.  They  are  baptized  with  «/j 
attend  our  fervices  and  facranient ;  admire  our  liturgy  ; 
and  only  blame  us  for  our  lulcewarmnefs  and  want  of  en- 
crp-y  and  animation.  This  cenfure,  it  is  true,  comes 
but  with  a  very  ill  grace  from  fuch  a  people  ;  but,  I 
fear,  we  cannot  eafily  refute  it. 

They  had  crlginally  a  great  fhare  of  enthujiafm.  But 
it  is  greatly  foftened  by  the  indulgence  they  have  re- 
ceived, and  mellowed  do'.vn  by  time.  Thc-y  are  no 
longer,  a  new  ;   they  are  no  longer  a  perfecuted  fed. 

1  he  journals  of  Wefley,  written  in  the  infancy  of 
bis  career,  are  a  ftrange  medley  of  goodnefs  and  enthu- 
fiafm.  The  old  man  has  livt^d  long  enough  to  have 
f-jen  his  error.  That  glov/  of  Imagination  is  confider- 
ably  abated,  which  millook  fhadows  for  fubllance,  and 
made  tidion  pafs  for  truth. 

The  great  eiror  amongll  this  people,  is  their  employ- 
ing fuch  low,  illiterate  men,  as  their  infiruflors,  and 
fancying  them  under  the  immediate  guidance  of  divine 
infpiration — preaching  up  the  \\<tQtSity  oi  ivjiafitar.eous 
converfion  and  juflification  by  a  fort  of  juiracle — mak- 
ing faith  to  conlift  in  ?ifull  ajj'urance  of  falvation,  and 
denouncing  damnation  agalnll   thofe,  who  have  it  not 

in   this   fuper-cminent  degree and  lallly,   in  fuppo- 

fing  this  afl'urance  to  depend  on  certain,  inv:ard  txira- 
crdifiary  impulfcs,  rather  than  the  fcripturts. 

Thefe  fentimcnts  lead  many  artful  people  Into  a  wick- 
ed pretence  of  feelings  and  aiTurances,  which  they  have 
not;  others  of  fwartn  ivuiginations  to  the  belief  of  what 
is  only  chimerical,  and  plunge  ftill  more  of  honeft, 
timid  minds,  or  an  hypochondriacal  temperament,  into 
melancholy  and  dcfpair. 

The  Saviour,  doubtlefs,  can  forgive  ans  to  I'jhomi 
and  at  ivhatever  moviejit^  he  pleafes.  /i  thief,  upon 
the  crofs,  was  a  viiracle  of  his  mercy  j  but  this  is  not 
the  ordinary  method  of  his  providence  ;  there  arc,  mi- 
doubtedly,  thouiands  of  excellent  people,  who  pafs 
through  the  world  without  fuch  a  full  rAJfiirance  of  falih  ; 
and  the  fpirltuiil  life,  like  that  of  auimala  or  vegetables, 
\^  generally  progreffive.   We  t^row  imoerccpitibly  "from 

Vol.  I".  '   D       * 


so  L  E  T  T  E  R  S     T  O     A 

ftrength  to  ftrengtli,'*  and,  though  the  peace  of  God 
may  be  dlffufed  tliroiigh  our  confclences,  we  (^are  not 
fay,  "  that  we  have  already  attained.'* 

Tlie  methodiils  were,  o;2cc,  extremely  lavifh  in  their 
cenfures  of  others;  but  juftlce  obh'gcs  me  to  confefs, 
that  they  are  now  in  general,  an  harmlefs,  inoffenfive 
and  pious  people.  If  they  be  gloovi}\  it  is  \.\\t\x  oivh 
misfortune  ;  it  tliey  go  mourning  all  tlicir  days,  theirs 
is  the  forrow;  the  world  in  general,  is  too  dilfipated 
and  unreflc'6ting. 

As  to  their  leader,  he  is  donbtlefs  a  prodigy.  What- 
ever be  the  merit  or  demerit  of  his  opinions,  his  inde- 
fatigable labours,  activity,  pilgrimages,  zeal,  and  re- 
folution,  challenge  our  amazement.  An  old  man  of 
nearly  ninety,  riling  condantly  at  four  o'clock  in  the 
depth  of  winter,  preaching/r^5'/^<f;///j',  on  the  fame  day, 
journeying  from  place  to  place,  "  and  from  one  people 
**  to  another  kingdom  ;"  himfclf  the  bilhop,  fecretary, 
judge,  governor  of  his  people,  the  main  fpring  of  fuch 
a  vail,  and  coi?iplicatcd  machine,  is  a  phenomenon,  that 
will  vanifh  from  our  eartldy  horizon,  when  he  ceafes  to 
exift.  His  opinions,  it  is  faid,  do  not  injure  his  cheer- 
fulnefs.  Time  has  planted  fev/  wrinkles  on  his  fore- 
head, though  it  has  covered  his  head  with  fnow. 

Notwithltanding  the  religious  zeal,  which  works 
wonders  in  his  favour,  and  the  deference,  naturally 
paid  to  the  JirJ}  foiuider  of  a  fe(S,  particularly  when 
poflefled  of  any  genius  or  learning,  yet  his  peaceful  go- 
vernment of  fo  numerous  a  people,  for  fuch  a  length 
of  time,  is  a  proof  of  extraordinary  talents  and  addrefs. 
Whenever  he  dies,  his  difciplcs  will  dwindle.  They 
will  not  eafjly  agree  about  a  fuccefTor.  No  fuccefTor 
can  have  fo  unclifputed  a  fovereignty,  or  pofTefs  fo  un- 
molefled  a  throne.  They  will  feparate  from  the  church  ; 
and  the  feparation  will  be  fatal.  It  will  be  the  lofs  of 
union,  confeqncnce  and  power.  The  republic  will  pro- 
bably be  divided  in  its  councils,  and  have  lefs  difpatch 
and  energy  in  the  execution. 


T 


Y  O  U  N  G     L  A  D  Y.  $t 

LETTER        XXXIL 

H  E  Baptifts  or  Anabaptlfts  are  a  fpecies  of  the 
independent  dlfTenters,  who  differ  from  their  brethren, 
chiefly  in  the  ;;W^  of  admlniltering  l>af>tifm,  which  t/jtry 
conceive,  fliould  always  be  by  ijiimerfiou,^  There  were 
many  of  this  perfuafion,  amongft  the  reformed  abroad. 
In  Holland,  Germany,  and  the  North,  they  were  call- 
ed Anahaptifts,  or  Mennonites  ;  in  Piedmont  and  the 
fouth,  they  were  found  amongft  the  Albigenfes.  In 
England,  they  are  few,  and,  at  prefent,  little  men- 
tioned. 

The  Q_uakers  arofe  about  the  middle  of  the  feven- 
teenth  century, f  and  had  their  name  affixed  upon  them  in 
derijton  from  the  violent  etiiotions-i  with  which  they  af- 
fedled  to  be  agitated^  when  they  conceived  themfelves 
under  the  more  immediate  impulfe  of  thtfpirit.  They 
explain  the  whole  letter  of  fcrlpture  into  a  kind  of  /;/- 
nvard,  and  fpiritual  a/lti/kn.  They  never  fpeak,  preach 
or  exhort  in  public,  but  when  they  fancy  themfelves  to 
be  moved  by  the  Jfjirit ;  they  fet  afide  the  necelTity  of 
the  external  facraments,  baptifm  and  the  Lord's  fupper, 
and  would  certainly  be  right,  if  men  had  no  ?7iatte?'  in 
their  compofitlon,  and  If  the  Imagination  was  not  to  be 
awakened  through  the  medium  of  the  /^/?/>j. 

They  acknowledge  no  head,  but  Chrift,  no  mafter 
but  God  ;  refufe  to  pay  tithes,  and  think  the  common 
civilities  of  life  profajis  and  unchriftlan.  They  even 
appear  covered  in  the  prefence  of  their  fovereign,  and 
addrefs  him  with  the  familiar  appellation  of  Thou. 
They  are  a  religious  community  within  themfelves, 
and  their  government  Is  wholly  internaU  You  may  fee 
their  principles  ably  delineated  by  their  ingenious  apo- 
logift,  Barclay. 

There  are,  however,  many  excellent  traits  In  the 
character   of  the  quakcrs.     They  are,  on  the  whole,  u 

*  They  likewife  icjeft  the  baptifm  of  infants.      +  George  Fox 
fccnis  to  have  been  their  founder  about  the  year  i6^g. 
D   2 


SZ  L  E  T  T  E  R  S     1^  O     A 

peaceable,  inoffe n five  people  ;  fupport  their  own  poor; 
have  raanlftfted,  for  a  long  time,  from  a  fpiric  of  hu- 
manity, a  llrong  and  pointed  oppofition  to  the  very  In- 
famous pradlice  of  tiie  flave  trade;  they  never  dUlurb 
the  peace  of  the  church,  or  fliackle  the  wheels  of  go. 
veriiment,  and  arc  tolerated  in  all  their  innocent  peculi- 
arities by  a  libeicl  and  an  cnliglitened  kingdom. 


LETTER        XXXI I  r. 


H  E  Moravians,  or  the  hreihren^  are  a  fpecies  of 
piott-flants,  who,  in  the  fifteenth  century,  threw  off 
the  defpotic  yoke  of  Rome,  animated  by  the  zealous 
exhovtalions  and  heroic  example  of  John  Hufs.*  Count 
Zinzendorff  was  a  very  eminent  leader  of  this  fed,  and, 
for  his  fignal  fervices  amongll  them,  has  been  diflin- 
guifiicd  by  the  name  of  Paj^a  f  or  fpirltual  father ;  and 
a  Monfieur  la  Trobe,  who  lived  in  the  metropolis,  and 
made  continual  circuits  araongfl.  them,  has,  more  lately, 
acquired  great  celebrity  in  their  annals. 

They  have  more  than  once  pafTed  through  the  fiery 
ordeal  of  perfecution.  Their  religious  principles,  how- 
ever, are  found  and  orthodox.  At  a  period,  when 
great  clamours  were  raifcd  again  ft  them,  Potter,  the 
then  learned  Archbifhop  of  Canterbury,  pronounced 
them  a  proteftant  eplfcopal  community,  as  they  retain- 
ed no  doftrines  that  were  repugnant  to  the  articles  of 
the  church  of  England  ;  and  the  pious  bilhop  of  Sodor 
and  Man  (Wilfonj  was  created  an  honorary  prefident 
of  (what  is  called)  the  reformed  Tropin^  In  the  Unit  as 
fratnt7//t   (the  unity  of  the  brethren.) 

Their  dlfcljiline  and  mode  of  government  are  very 
fingular.    Thty  form  vithin  themfelves  a  religious  com- 

*  John  Hu^'saiul  Joromof  Pia^^^uc,  fuil-rcd  martyrdom  at  Prague 
in  t!ic  year  141^- 

f  This  was  ladier  an  appellation,  which  very  1  attiially  was  iifed 
in  the  familiar  ciicle  of  iits  family.  In  the  wriiing  publiihcd  by 
the  United  Brethren,  they  generally  ftylc  him,  the  Ordinary  of  the 
BiCihitn. 


YOUNGLADY.  53 

muiiity,  Independent  of  every  other,  and  extend  to  all 
their  brethren  throughout  the  world.  They  are  not  fuf- 
fered  to  intermarry  with  people,  of  a  different  perfua- 
fion  ;  they  have  groups  of  religious  houfes,  fcattcred 
througii  the  kingdom  ;  they  have  choirs  of  fingle  fifters 
and  brethren  ;  the  firll  are  occupied  in  every  kind  of  in- 
genious needle- work,  in  which  they  have  made  an  ama- 
zing prolkiency,  and  the  latter  in  all  forts  of  mechani- 
cal employments  ;  and  their  earnings,  after  a  mainte- 
nance for  themfelves,  which  they  rective  in  the  houfe, 
go  into  one  common  fund  for  the  fuppoit  of  the  gene- 
ral fociety*,  and  particularly  of  the  children,  belong- 
ing to  the  married  brethren  and  fillers,  which  are  fed, 
educated  and  clothed  in  thefe  religious  feminaries. 

The  morals  and  chaility  of  their  aui;;;/^;;  are  guarded 
v.'ith  a  very  peculiar  vigilance  ;  they  are  not  permitted 
to  (lep  without  the  walls  of  tljeir  afylimi,  unaccompa- 
nied by  a  fuperintendent  of  their  own  fex  f  ;  when  any 
of  them,  or  the  brethren  is  married,  it  is  tranfatleil  by 
the  calling  of  lots,  and  fuppofed  to  be  ordained  by  a 
particular  providence,  and  the  union  is  generally  formc<l 
with  fome  members  of  their  fociety  abroad  %.  They 
much  refemble  the  methodifts  in  having  private  confer- 
rences,  claffes,  leaders,  and  examinations  concerning 
the  ftate  and  progrefs  of  grace  in  the  foul,  and  none: 
are  permitted  to  receive  the  facrament,  without  having, 
previoufly  paffed  thro'  a  very  fcvere  procefs  of  religious 
examination. 

Their  worfliip  conGfts  principally  in  ftriging^  and 
hence,  perhaps,  their  focieties  are  called  choirs.  Their 
rcfidences  have  much  the  air  of  religious  houfes  ;  and 
their  fingle  brethren  and  fillers  are  often  in  the  morti- 
fied (late  of  involuntary  friars  or  nuns.   Their  devotions, 


*  There  is  no  fuch  general  fund  among  the  United  Brethren.  Each 
member  of  their  Community  gives,  witliout  condraint  what  he  pleafts 
for  fupporting  any  of  their  mllituiions,  or  their  Miilions  among  the 
Heathen. 

+  The  aothor's  afTcrtion  is  to  be  underftood  only  of  the  growing 
youth  of  the  fex,  who  are  not  of  a^e. 

\  Not  generally,  hutfonutimei  it  has  been  the  cafe  as  with  other 
inhabitants  of  thefe  kingdoms. 


D3 


54  L  E  T  T  E  R  S     T  O     A 

like  thofc  of  a  convent,  are  almofl  perpetual  *  ;  and 
tliey  feemed  to  have  forgotten,  that  ihcy  were  born  for 
f'jc'uty,  as  well  as  for  themfelvesf. 

Such  reftraints  on  nature  are  not  tolerable,  and  na- 
tiire  will,  fometlmes,  afTert  her  rli^hts,  and  ftain  their 
Mllory  wirh  indifcretions.  We  were  fent  here  to  be 
tried.  Innocence,  that  fubfifts  only  by  the  ahfcnce  of 
temptation,  fcarcely  dcfervcs  the  name  ;  perpetual  de- 
votion Is  an  tvipcjfibiitty  ;  it  is  as  impracticable,  as  that 
the  eye  fhould  be  ever  looking  at  the  fame  object  ;  and, 
jf  I  do  not  much  miftake,  that  piety  is  mod  ardent, 
which  knows  mod  of  the  world,  from  dtar- bought  ex- 
j-ierlence,  and  rinding  it  a  fcene  of  mortification  and  va- 
i)ity,  appeals  to  keavcny  for  more  fubllantial  fatisfac- 
t!on. 

There  are  many  fcattered  focleties  of  Moravians  in 
England,  but  they  appear  to  be  a  declining  fed.  It  i$ 
immured  ignorance  or  prejudice,  which  has  led  Chrif- 
tians  to  feparatc  from  each  other  for  little,  frivolous 
didindlions.  The  era,  I  hope,  is  coming,  which  will 
bring  us  '*  more  Into  one  common  fold,  under  one 
*'   (liepherd,  Chrlft  Jefus,  the  Righteous." 

There  is  certainly  a  great  mixture  of  gccdln  this  peo- 
ple. What  a  pity,  that  they  cannot  join  with  us  iu 
offering  a  rational  fervice,  and  lifting  up  one  common 
hallelujah,  to  the  great  God  and  Father  of  all. 


*  Their  flatcd  focial  devotions  are  limited  to  morning  and  even- 
ing-prayers, and  a  weekly  cxhorlaiion  by  the  Minifter. 

+  They  carry  on  trades  and  manufaftures  like  other  iifeful  citizens  : 
and  tho'  they  never  urge  any  member  oi  the  diffcrenr  dcnomiiialions 
in  Ciuiflcndoni  to  become  members  of  liicir  Church,  being  averlc 
to  prorelytc-making;  yet,  from  a  full  convidion  that  ihey  were  not 
born  for  thcmfclves  only,  they  have  made  uniornmon  exertions  ior 
the  Convcrfion  of  the  Heathen;  for  example;  ot  ilie  Greenlanders, 
Efkimos  North  American  Indians,  of  the  Negroes  in  the  Well-Indian 
idands,  of  the  Negroes,  Indians  and  free  Negroes  in  Surinam,  like- 
wile  of  the  natives  of  the  Ead-Indies  and  of  the  Calmucks  in  Afiatic 
RufTia.  See  Cran's  Kifloiy  of  the  Brethren,  and  Hiftory  of  Green- 
land. 


YOUNGLADY.  $5 

LETTER         XXXIV. 


I 


KNOW  not  why  the  myftics  are  fo  called,  unlefs 
it  be  for  difcoverlng  7uyjlical  pafFigcs  In  the  fcrlpture, 
or  making  religion  at  large  wear  the  appearance  of 
myjicry  They  are  a  very  ancient  fe6l,  and  fprung  up 
fo  early,  as  about  the  clofe  of  the  third  century. 

This  people,  by  a  very  finguiar  kind  of  ingenuity, 
difcover  a  fpiritual  or  hidden  fenfc  in  the  molt  literal 
pafTages  of  fcripture,  and  indeed  convert  the  whole, 
rather  into  an  amufing  allegory,  than  a  plain  and  fimple 
narrative  of  fafts. 

They  hold  all  divine  truth  to  come,  by  an  immediate 
influx,  from  the y^/r//«^/ world,  and  pretend  to  a  know- 
ledge of  God,  and  heavenly  things,  that  can  only  be 
attained  in  this  e)f.traordinary  manner.  Sometimes  they 
are  called  quietifts,  becaufe  they  maintain,  that  the 
foul  fhould  be  in  a  Hill,  quiets  paliive  ftaie,  undiilradicd 
with  noife  and  cares,  and  almoft  fupcrior  to  fcnfe  or 
matter,  in  order  to  receive  this  divine  illumination.  Thtir 
llation,  in  the  thermometer  of  dilTcrent,  religious  orders, 
is  that  of  lighter  elements,  carried  by  fuperior  fublilty 
into  the  air,  whilll  others,  compofcd  of  grofTtr  matter, 
adhere,  by  an  invincible  neccffity,  to  the  earth,  till 
death  difTolves  thejp^ion  bttwixt  foul  and  body. 

The  myllic  theology  feems  to  be  the  philofophy  of 
PlafGy  refined  and  grafted  upon  a  Chriftian  ilock  ;  the 
quixctifm  of  religion,  which  afftdls  to  attain  in  life, 
what  the  fcrlptures  have  taught  us  to  expedl  only  after 
d^ath  ;  an  intimate  knowledge  of  the  Almighty,  vifions, 
revelations,   almoft  Ifituition  ! 

If  the  myflics  would  reafon  for  a  moment,  (but  peo- 
ple, under  the  guidance  of  immediate  illumination  are 
far  above  the  vulgar  fliackles  of  rcafj}u)  they  would 
fee  that  fuch  a  {ubtile,  metaphyfical  fyllem  is  poorly 
fitted  for  the  reception  of  mankind  at  large,  who  can 
fcarcely  be  brought  to  underftand,  relifli,  or  pradife 
the  moft.  obvious  truths  ;  they  would  acknowledge  thai 
divinity  to  be  the  belt,  which  does  not,  with  the  light- 

D4 


S6  LETTERSTOA 

refs  of  fome  viaUer,  afcend  into  the  air,  but  conlenis- 
ilfelf  on  eartii,  with  inculcating  and  enforcing  the  mod 
obvious  duties  of  common  life  ;  the  reciprocal  obliga- 
tions of  parents  and  children,  mailers  and  fervants, 
kinr''  and  fuhjeds  ;  the  fiibjedion  of  the  pafiions,  the 
difctniine  of  reafon,  and  the  duty  of  all  to  one  co?;/- 
v:ori  God.  Thty  would  know,  that  their  opinions  mult 
create  an  indifference,  or  a  hnc'itd  fuperiorifj  to  thofe 
rftab  iflied  ordinances,  which  are  the  very  balls  of  ail 
reHjrion,  and  that  if  all  men  were  governed  by  their 
piffive  guufuJdt  there  would  be  none  to  encciunter  with 
the  vices  and  diforders  of  a  mixed,  heterogeneous  Hate. 
Chridians  would  "  ceafe  to  be  the  light  of  the  world, 
or  the  fait  of  the  earth  i'i  there  would  be  none  to  Rem, 
by  powerful,  turbid  eloquence  the  ragings  of  iniquity, 
or  let  **  the  lullre  of  their  example  fhine  before  men." 
Our  Zi'/v/'s  piety  was  not  of  this  kind.  It  fcught 
not  the  indulgence  of  reclufe  contemplation,  it  was 
rot  Tipfiivr,  but  ad^ive  ;  every  where,  with  the  Tinner 
and  the  faint,  to  reprove  the  one,  and  encourage  the 
the  other;  in  the  wildernefs  to  pray,  and  in  the  world, 
t)  reform  ;  at  a  marriage,  "to  rejoice  with  them,  that 
did  rejoice,  and,  at  the  grave  of  Lazarus,  to  weep" 
with  his  afflifted  friends. 

LETTER     "^XXXV. 

X  HE  my.Aic  theology  boafts  fome  great  namec. 
Madame  de  Guion  was  a  warm  efpoufer  of  it  in  France  ; 
a  woman  of  great  falhion  and  confequence,  remarkable 
for  the  goodncfs  of  her  heart,  and  the  regularity  of  her 
condudt,  but  of  a  capricious  unfcttled  temper,  and 
liable  to  the  feduAions  of  a  warm  imagination. 

The  opinions  of  this  lady  made  a  great  noife  in  that 
country,  about  the  year  1687.  They  were  confuted, 
fome  time  afterwards,  by  the  celebrated  BofTuet.  The 
great  and  good  Fenelon  undertook  her  vindication  ; 
but  his  book  was  cjiidcmncd  by  Pope  Inuocent  the 
twelfth. 


Y  O  U  N  G     L  A  D  Y.  57 

The  teutonic  philofopbcr  (Jacob  Behmen,)  was  a 
kind  of  father  to  tliis  fed,  and  publifhed  a  book,  which 
contains  a  fyftem  of  the  inoft  abfurd  and  incoherent  re- 
veries, that  perhaps  ever  gained  an  admiflion  into  the 
world.  It  is  a  fpecies  of  moral  chemiftry,  and  occult 
philofopy,  a  bewildering  explanation,  and  a  cloudy 
light,  which  I  will  venture  to  fay,  that  neither  Sir 
Ifaac  Newton,  nor  Mr.  Locke,  with  all  their  clearnefs 
of  conception,  could  have  been  able  to  underftand. 

Law,  who  wrote  the  Serious  Call,  (a  nonjuror  of 
Northamptonftiire,)  was  an  abettor  of  thefe  do6lrines  ; 
a  man  of  very  exemplary  life,  and  difcriminating  talents; 
but  it  was  an  honour,  referved  for  the  late  Baron  Swe- 
denborg  to  cairy  them  to  their  very  height  of  perfec- 
tion f .  Compared  with  bist  a^l  other  writing,  on  the 
fubjedl,  are  but  the  morning,  cont rafted  with  the  per- 
fe6t  day.  He  tells  us  conjidefitly  of  his  unreftrained 
communications  with  the  fpiritual  world,  vifions,  reve- 
lations ;  he  gives  to  every  portion  of  fcripture,  a  natu- 
ral, a  fpiritual,  and  a  cclellial  fenfe  ;  he  defcribes  to  us 
the  very  form,  and  furniture,  and  apparatus  of  heaven  ; 
he  retails  to  the  reader  his  converfations  v.'Ith  argeh  ;  he 
defcribes  the  condition  of  Jews,  Mahometans,  Chrif- 
tians,  of  the  Englifh,  French,  Dutch,  of  clergymeu 
of  every  denomination,  laity,  &c.  in  another  world  ; 
he  has  a  key  to  unlock  all  the  hitherto  impenetrable  fe- 
crets  of  futurity,  and  already,  whilft  in  the  body, 
**  knows  even  as  \\t  is  known." 

What  is  the  inference  ?  When  iinagination'x^-^^xvcvX' 
ted  to  ufurp  the  place  of  reafon^  fanaticifm  becomes  a 
chriftian  duty,  and  enthufiafm  the  more  credlhley  in 
proportion  as  it  exceeds"  all  bounds  of  credibility. 

What  can  induce  \\\tx\  qI  fenfe  to  hearken  to  thefe 
dreams  !  Early  prejudices,  confint-d  reading,  fmgular 
acquaintance,  a  reclufe  life,  a  gloomy,  fpeculative,  ab- 
ftraifted  turn  of  mind,  and  alToiiating  togpthcfj  for  a 
long  time,   particular,   however  incongruous y   idens. 

This    wiil  account  for  anv  reveries.      It  acconnts  for 


+  Thofc  \vh<^  embrace  the  'rnefs  of 
lately  begun  to  Fomi  them! 
name  Oi  the  New  Jcru'.  ;•.■ 


53  LETTERS     TO     A 

i>ifu?2if)\  And  men,  from  this  caufe,  may,  in  a  par- 
iicidar  inftance  (fuppofc  religion),  be  infane,  though 
in  all  other  refpeds,  their  minds  are  ever  fo  enlightened, 
or  ever  fo  expanfive. 

It  mud  however,  be  faid  in  favour  of  the  mydics, 
that  their  principles  inculcate  in  the  ftrongell  manner, 
the  necelfity  of  fpiritual  liolinefs  and  regeneration  ; 
that  their  lives  in  general,  are  nnblcmidied  and  cxem.- 
plary.  They  are  a  quiet,  retired  people,  who  let  the 
world  go  as  it  lu/V/,  as  to  riches  or  promotions  ;  who 
enjoy  indeed,  in  a  paflive  fuperiorify^  thofe  tumults  of 
the  crowd,  as  higher  fpirits  may  coudefcerui \o  look  down, 
with  a  pitying  fmile,  on  the  toils  of  mortals;  and  who 
deny  themfelves  all  the  gayer  pleafures,  in  order  to  re- 
lifh,  in  a  fublimer  degree,  all  the  raptures  of  devotion. 

If  the  opinions  of  the  quietills  fpring  from  fpiritual 
pride,  it  is  more  than  they  fufpeA  ;  for  they  preach  up 
the  deepefl  felf-abafement,  annihilation,  and  poverty 
of  fpitit ;  they  almoll  darve  the  aKivial  part  of  their 
nature,  to  nurfe  the  ang;;lic,  and  half  live  on  medita- 
tion. 

If  fuch  people  have  errors,  they  Oiould  be  touched 
v.'ith  a  gentle  hand.  If  they  are  inifled,  it  is  in  amiable 
company.  There  is  not  a  much  more  lovtly  name  than 
that  of  Feneion.  Few  men  have  pofT.ficd  fuch  a  fweet- 
ntfs  of  piety. 

I  have  but  one  wifli  for  them,  myfelf,  or  any  other 
f'.£t,  and  it  is  a  wifh  of  charity  ;  that'what  is  wrong  in 
any  cf  us^  may  be  done  away,  becaufe  I  long  to  meet 
them  all  in  the  kingdom  of  heaven. 

LETTER         XXXVI. 


i 


HEOLOGY,  like  arts  and  fcienccs,  has  its 
fcholadic,  technical  terms,  and  I  will  endeavour  to  ex- 
plain them. 

The  yJrlans  are  fo  called  from  Arius,  a  prefbyter  of 
the  church  of  Alexandria,  in  the  year  315.  He  be- 
lieved Chrid  to  be  God,  but  conceived  him  inferior  to 


Y  O  U  N  G     L  A  D  Y.  59 

the  Father,  as  to  his  deity  and  eflence.  The  term,  at 
prefent,  ir.  Indlfcrimlnately  apphed  to  all,  who,  in  any 
decree,  embraced  this  opinion. 

"This  herefy  was  firft  revived  by  jMr.  Whidon,  in  the 
beginning  of  the  eighteenth  century.  The  works  of 
Dr.  Clarke  afterwards  entailed  upon  him  the  name  of 
Semi  Arian  (  H^lf- Arian. ) 

Sncinians  derive  their  name  from  the  ilhidrious  fami- 
ly of  Sozzini,  which  flouriflied,  a  long  time,  at  Sien- 
na in  Tufcany,  and  produced  feveral  great,  and  eminent 
men.  Fauftus  Socinus,  the  great  author  of  this  fe6l, 
was  born  at  Sienna  in  1539,  denied  the  divinity  of 
Chrift,  the /'i'ryc);M/;/y  of  the  Holy  Gholt,  and  the />c?r- 
pcfuity  of  baptifm,   as  a  divine  ordinance. 

The  moft  dirtinguiihed  men,  who  have  favoured  this 
opinivon,  are  Le  Clerc,  Biddle,  LarJner,  Lowman, 
Fleming,  Lindfey,  Sec. 


LETTER         XXXVII. 


T 


H  E  Deifls  are  fo  called,  perhaps,  from  th^ 
Latin  word,  Dens',  a  God  ;  becaufe  they  acknowledge 
only  the  exiflence  of  a  God,  profefs  no  particular  form 
or  fyflem  of  religion,  and  only  foilov/  the  law  and  light 
of  nature.  Of  tliefe,  however,  there  are  many  ^<"^r6W, 
from  the  moderate  ones,  who  believe  revelation  in  a 
certain,  qualific'd  fenfe,  to  thofe,  who  abfolutely  difa- 
vow  it  in  ail.  The  firft  who  figured  or  wrote,  in  this 
country,   was  Baron  Herbert  of  Cherbury. 

Deifm  is  gefierally  tmhraced,  either  by  men  of  a 
cold,  phlegmatic,  phdofophical  cafl,  who  are  indifpof- 
ed  to  believe  any  thing,  for  which  they  have  not  abfo- 
lute  demonftration,  or  by  thoie,  who,  having  never 
thought  or  reafoned,  confider  it,  as  a  mark  of  wit  and 
talents,   to  fet  up  for  unbelievers. 

The  firft  dcferve  an  anfwer,  and  it  is  eafy.  All  7u- 
ture  is  full  of  mylleries,  as  well  as  revelation  ;  the  uni- 
on of  foul  and  body  Is  a  vnraclc;  the  infinite  divifibility 
of  matter,    and  the  idea  of  an  cVtTWt?/ duration  are  ah- 


6o  L  E  T  T  E  R  S     T  O     A 

Tolutely  incomprchenfiblc  ;  nothing  can  be  more  fo, 
than  the  nccefrary  filf-exiflence  of  God.  The  latter 
are  better  anfwered  with  irony.  Their  infidelity  is  a 
faihionable  livery.  When  delfm  is  not  in  vogue  amongll 
the  gay  circles,  they  will  foon  put  it  off,  and  difavow 
their  ever  having  worn  fo  obfolete  a  garb. 

A  third  clafs  of  deiils  may  be  fald  to  fpring  up  from 
ti.e  fiipeiflitions  of  Rome.  Great  men,  who  live  in 
caiholic  countries,  are  difgufled  with  their  bigotry, 
and  are  apt  to  think  religion  in  general  o\\\y  an  ivipoji- 
i'rjH  on  the  credulity  of  mankind.  Was  not  this  the 
cafe  with  all  that  fplended  group,  RoufTeaii,  Voltaire, 
llie  Abbe  de  Raynal,  and  Helvetlus  who  wrote  a  fa- 
mous treatife,  de  /'  Efprit  ?  Genius  hates  (hackles, 
and  fhackles  are  \\it  peculiar  manufad^ure  of  Rome. 

A  fourth  clafs  of  delfts  are  continually  produced  by 
the  love  of  fame,  venting  itfelf  in  paradoxes,  and  fin- 
gular  opinions,  to  make  a  noife  ;  by  an  averf:on  to  the 
llridlnefs  of  gofpel  morality,  and  by  criminal  pafTions, 
which  endeavour  to  hide  their  guilt  in  the  {hades  of 
unbelief.  Some  of  thefe  have  commenced  authors,  and 
cndtavoured  to  immortalize  their  errors  by  the  prefs. 
But  their  books,  on  a  near  view,  have  been  found  only 
gilt  and  lettered  with  vanity,  and  have  quickly  been 
configned  to  the  oblivion  they  deferved.  Whilft  wc 
are  in  tkis  world,  enemies  will  mix  thefe  tares  with  the 
good  feed  of  the  gofpel.  We  mull  wait  u\\  harvejl,  to 
fee  the  fjnal  feparation. 

The  dcifts  are  the  greateft  enemies,  of  all  ethers,  to 
true  religion.  Their  pride  and  fcepticifm  ftop  up  every 
avenue,  by  which  divine  grace  and  conviction  fhould 
be  convc)ed  to  the  foul.  Nature,  with //'<fw,  is  only- 
a.  Jiecejj'iiry  fy.ftern  of  caufes  and  effedls.  Creation  rofe 
into  iu  prefcnt  fplendour,  by  a  kind  oi fatality.  Thun- 
ders roar,  lightnings  flafh,  volcanos  vomit,  tempefts 
rage,  feas  oveiflow,  millions  perifh,  and  kingdoms  are 
dtiolated,  only  by  a  train  oS.  fiatedy  inevitable  caufes. 
They  exclude  2^  firji  efficient  mover,  and  think  not  of; 
the  providence,  which,  at  a  certain  moment,  and  for 
the  wifeft,  77ioral  caufes,  predellincd  fuch  events. 

Few  of  thefe  men  have  died  in  peace.  1  heir  forti- 
tude has  deferred  them,  when  they  wanted  its  fupport:.. 


YOUNG     LADY.  6i 

Their  philofophy  lias  vaniflied,  as  their  ftrcngth  has 
abated.  The  blall  of  death  has  demoli(hed  their  fplen- 
did  fabric,  and  their  hopes  and  peace  \mwt  periJJjed  iiv 
the  ruins.* 

..S).-.  ..<>  •.<^^<^<^^ --<>>•■ -o^** 

LETTER        XXXVIII; 

MY     DEAR    GIRL, 


T 


RAVELLERS,  that  have  made  (what  is- 
called)  the  grand  tour,  felicitate  themfclvcs  on  their 
return  to  England,  and  pronounce  it  the  happieft  coun- 
try in  the  world.  And  fuch  it  certainly  is,  if  not  in 
beauty  and  delicioufnefs  of  climate,  yet  in  that  abfo-. 
iiite  fecurity  of  property  it  enjcys  above  all  other  na- 
tions,   and  that  ///vr/)',  which  endears  every  pofleflion. 

If  you  have  made  proper  obfervations  on  the  differ- 
ent, religious  fe(fls,  that  have  pafTcd  in  review  before, 
us,  you  will  feel  much  the  fame  fentiment,  when  you, 
compare  them  with  your  own  church.  You  will  be  the 
moral  traveller,  returned  from  more  unpleafant  fcenes, 
to  taQe  the  blcffings  of  true  repofe  and  dignity  at  home. 
Nor  is  this  idea,  I  hope,  the  effedl  of  prejudice,  but 
fprlngs  from  foiid  reafon  and  conviftion. 

The  Church  of  England  f  has  enough  of  ceremony, 
and  Cisternal  decency  to  flrike  the  fenfes,  and  to  fupport 
the  dignity  of  religion,  in  the  eyes  of  the  vulgar,  and 
yet  nothing,  that  can  juftly  offend  the  delicacy  of  the 
fublimeft  underftanding.     It  aims   not  at  the  total  ab- 


*  Atheid  is  the  name,  and  Atheifm  the  dcftrine,  of  fuch  a  perfon 
'A^ho  entirely  denies  the  exigence  of  God.  Whether  any  man  ever 
did  in  his  heart  bchevethis  ablurd  notion,  is  doubtful.  But  whoever 
pretends  to  it,  may  read  his  tharaftcr  in  Pfahn  XIV.  v.  i.  '  The 
fool  lijih  faid  in  his  heart,  There  is  no  God.' 

f  The  CbMch  of  England,  together  vvith  the  cflablifhed  Church 
of  licland,  torrnsonly  one  of  the  tlirce  leading  divihons  of  the  Pro- 
tcflants.  Lutheramfm  is  the  cflabliflrd  religion  in  Sweden,  Don- 
rnark.  Norway,  Livonia,  and  a  coiihdcrable  part  of  Germany;  and 
Calvinifm  rr  Prcfb)terjanifm  is  the  cftnblifhcd  religion  in  Scotland,  Hol- 
acd,    and  in  icvcral  parts  of  Germany  and  Swiiferland. 


62  LETTERSTOA 

flradllon  of  difTenters,  nor  affefts  the  fuperftltious  forms 
and  ceremonies  of  the  Cliurch  of  Rome.  Its  piety- 
has  a  rational,  fedate,  compofed  air,  and  is  uniformly- 
grave  and  decent,  without  pretending  to  the  flights, 
the  fervours,  and  the  vifions  of  fi)me,   viodert:  fanatics. 

The  facraments  are  not  ridiculoafly  multiph'ed,  nor 
has  human  policy  invented  them.  They  are  but  two 
in  number,  baptifm  and  the  Lord's  fupper;  both  pofi- 
tively  enjoined  by  Chrl.i;,  and  neither  of  them  fuppofed 
to  have  any  further  merit,  than  as  they  lead  to  purity 
of  heart  and  condud:.  The  liturgy  has  been  admired 
by  the  greateft  men  ;  the  minifters  of  this  church  are, 
in  general,  an  ornament  to  their  facred  profeflion,  and 
perhaps,  on  the  whole,  men  of  as  great  learning,  can- 
dour, piety  and  moderation,  as  arc  to  be  found  under 
any  communion.  That  there  were  no  e-^ccpticns^  would 
be  a  miracle.  There  was  a  Judas  amongd  twelve 
apoftles. 

After  all  the  fim-fpun  theories  of  liberty,  every  fo- 
clety  muft  have  a  mode  of  goverrment  ;  and  that  go- 
vernment fuppoles  power  to  be  lodged y^Wi?  'whfre  for 
the  gener-al  good.  That  of  the  Church  of  England  is 
veiled  in  blfhops  ;  no  one  will  difpute  the  antiquity^  or 
perhaps  the  ufefulncfs  of  the  order,  whatever  he  may 
obje6l  to  its  temporal  diilindions.  S:.  Paul  appointed 
blfhops  in  the  primitive  church. 

Much  abufe  is  often  levelled  againft.  tlie  facred  bench. 
But  the  fhafts  come  from  envy^  and  are  pointed  by  re- 
ligious prejudice  and  refentment.  It  is,  in  faft,  their 
teiyiporal  emoluments,  that  provoke  this  ungenerous 
kind  of  perfecution.  But  if  they  mud  attend  parlia- 
vis7it^  they  have  indeed  no  fuper-abunJarit  ^rovxhon. 
Whilll  it  is  thought  expedient  to  have  a  ^/p?//;///-^/ church, 
-the  interefts  of  it,  as  connedled  with  the  ftate,  muft 
frequently  be  a  fubjeft  of  parliamentary  diftuflion  ; 
and  it  would  be  very  extraordinary  indeed,  if  they, 
who  are  moft  ij?i??iediately  concerned,  fliould  not  have 
the  liberty  of  giving  their  opinion  and  votes  on  the  oc- 
cafion.  Whatever  ^y?^^/ right,  from  education  or  abili- 
ties, the  blfhops  may  pf^flefs,  along  with  the  tevipr,ral 
peers  .of  the  realm,  to  deliver  their  fentiments  on  any 
other  fubjcdl,    they  exercife  it  very  rarely^  and  with 


YOUNGLADY.  6^ 

great  difcretion.  Their  honours  too,  It  fhould  be  ob- 
fervt'd,  ufually  come  late  in  life,  and  the  hope  of  at- 
taining them,  at  fomc  diftant  period,  is  doubtlefs, 
amongd  the  younger  clergy,  a  ftrong  incentive  to 
emulation. 

But  prejudice  apart,  the  bifhops,  in  general,  perform 
their  facred  duties  with  great  decorum,  and  the  prefent 
bench  can  boaft  the  names  of  feveral  who,  without  the 
aid  of  purple,  would  be  an  ornament  to  human  nature. 

To  fuppofe  the  Church  of  England  without  defefts, 
would  be  fuppofing  it  not  an  hiunan  eftablifhment.  But 
innovation  in  religious  fyllems,  is  a  dangerous  experi- 
ment. Projed^s  of  a  reformation  in  our  liturgy  and 
articles  have  come  from  very  fufpicioi.s  quarters,  and 
worn  no  very  promifing  appearance.  The  little  errors 
of  this  church  arc  better  trufled  to  the  enlightened 
prudence  and  7noderation  oi  its  governors,  than  the  rafh 
and  daring  fpirit  of  adventurers,  who,  under  the  pre- 
tence of  only  attempting  to  remove  its  rubbifh,  might 
artfully  undermine  the  very  foimdatioti,  on  which  it 
refts.  They  who  have  talked  mofl  loudly  on  the  fub- 
je(fl  of  an  alteration,  have  certainly  difplayed  no  vejy 
great  attachment  to  the  ejfe?itials  of  our  holy  faith. 

We  might,  perhaps,  borrow  from  y^^^r/V/,  without 
any  inconvenience,  a  little  more  zeal,  fervour  and  ani- 
mation. If  our  internal  difcipline,  like  theirs,  was 
more  rigidly  enforced  ;  and  if,  like  them,  we  had 
a  few  more  conferences  with  our  people,  and  an  op- 
portunity of  keeping  the  unworthy  from  the  altar, 
we  (liould  be  fo  much  nearer  the  model  of  perftclion. 

But  alas  !  the  great  evil  amonglt  us,  is  a  want  of 
encourngejnenf.  The  church,  at  any  rate,  has  hut  a  fmall 
pittance.  A  karnt-d  prelate*  has  ohlVrved,  that,  if 
all  its  dignities,  (bifliopricks  included,)  were  annulled, 
and  their  poduce  thrown  into  one  common,  equallizing 
fund,  for  the  general  fuppcrt,  the  amount  of  annual 
falary,  to  every  individual,  would  not  exceed  ;£*I20, 
or  at  moll,  ;^150. 

Under  fuch  circumftances,  who  can  be  very  animated  .'' 
Or  what  energy  can  attend  the  exercile  of  our  profeflion 

•  The  B— p  of  L— d-ff. 


64  LETTERS     TO     A 

in  the  eyes  of  a  world,  that  fuperclh'oufly  appreciates- 
the  cliaracters  of  men  infinitely  more  by  their  temporal 
pofTeflions,  than  by  the  graces  of  their  heart,  or  the 
fublimity  of  their  underliamling.  To  a  perfon  of  any 
relinement  or  fenfibility,  houfcs  without  couvcniencies, 
aad  children  without  provinon,  are  but  a  melancholy 
portion  !  If  ^nerchants  or  laivyers  had  no  better  pro- 
fpefts,  what  would  be  tbfir  exertions  ?  And  yet  under 
all  this  heavy  load  of  embarrafTir.cnt,  what  great  and 
good  men  do  our  annals  boaft  ? 

Fanaticsy  indeed,  allege,  that  pndors  (liould  be  fu- 
perior  to  all  hopes  of  reward,  except  in  heaven.  Plato 
has  likewife  faid  that  we  fhoiiM  be  raifed  above  the 
fenfe  of  pain.  But  neither  thofe  vilionaries  nor  this  phi- 
lofopher  have  been  able  to  change  the  nature  of  things  ; . 
to  take  from  ntrrves,  their  fenfibility  ;  from  the  world, 
its  infolence,  from  education,  its  delicacy,  or  from  po- 
verty, its  flings. 

And  we  have  learned  from  an  higher  authority,  than 
either  of  theirs,  that  *'  the  chviftian  labourer  is  worthy 
*«  of  his  hire,  and  that  he  who  ferves  at  the  altar, 
"  fhould  live  of  the  altar." 


LETTER         XXXIX. 

J300KS  and  rules  of  all  kinds  are  \.\\t  theory  oT 
religion,  and  can  have  no  further  ufe,  than  as  they 
lead  to  pra^iice.  We  have  the7i  profited  by  fyliems  and 
opinions,  when  our  life  Is  a  continual  ^i^^/^wi*///  on  what 
we  have  read,  and  wc  make  the  light  of  our  example 
fhine  before  men. 

Chriftianity  has  but  two,  capital  features;  love  to 
God,  evidenced  in  a£ks  of  piety  ;  and  good  will  towards 
man,  exemplified  In  all  the  poflibilities  of  doing  good. 
As  devotion,  however  neccfTary,  can  bring  no  profit  to 
our  Maker,  any  more  than  a  little  taper  can  add  to  the 
fplendors  of  the  fun,  the  fcriptures  have  laid  the  greateft 
ftrefs  on  charity  to  ouv  fsllonu-creatures.  This  Is  called 
the  *'  end  of  the  commandment ;"  It  la  the  evihodylng  of 


Y  O  U  N  G     L  A  D  Y.  6s 

our  piety  ;  and  the  world  could  not  fuhfift  without  it. 
Human  life  is  full  of  woe.  Charity  is  the  angel^  that 
binds  up  the  fores  of  our  fellow- creatures,  heals  the 
broktn  in  heart,  clothes  the  naked,  and  feeds  the  hun- 
gry. The  poor  are  made  the  rcprefentatives  of  Chrift  ; 
whatever  we  give  to  them  is,  in  fcripture  language, 
bellowed  on  the  Saviour.  Moth  and  ruft  corrupt  the 
treafures  we  hoard  up,  but  this  is  placed  in  thofe  iunda 
of  heaven,   which  never  fail. 

The  Saviour  has  faid,  thnt  "  it  is  more  bltfled  to 
**  give  than  to  receive."  And  the  pleafures,  which 
fpring  from  charity,  prote  its  origin  to  be  divine.  What 
?alue  has  an  heap  of  money,  or  what  confcious  dignity 
do  we  derive  frc.m  it,  if  it  is  not  employed  in  givinp^ 
comfort  to  the  miferabk,  and  protedlion  to  the  diftrefl*- 
cd? 

The  very  poor  are  provided  for  by  tlie  laws  of  the 
kingdom.  And  comrnon  htgpars  are  far  from  bting 
the  moft  deferving  objeds.  Charity  fliould  rather  feek 
out  the  modeft  and  uncomplaining  who  have  feen  better 
days,  and  have  all  the  paii;s  of  a  delicate  fenfibility, 
annexed  to  their  diflreis. 

True  charity  does  not  fo  muchconfirt  in  multiplying 
little  alm.s  to  a  number  of  poor  people,  as  in  making 
iomt  grand  and  u'ell  dire^lcd  efforts  in  favour  of  a  few. 
Educating  one  child  of  an  ovor-burthened  family  is  a 
greater  acl  of  beneficence,  than  retailing  to  them,  oc- 
cafionally,  a  thoufand  petty  benefaftions.  It  is  not  a 
few,  fcattered  drops  of  rain,  but  it  is  a  generous  diowcr, 
coming  all  at  once,  whicJi  revives  the  parched  earth,. 
and  quickens  vegetation. 

It  is  amazing  what  tharin'es  even  Tifniall  fortune  wilt" 
enable  people  to   perform,   if  under  the  iuflicnce  of  a 
chriilian  ceconcray.     A  few  retrenchments  from  drtfs,. 
vanity  or  pleafure,   poured  into  the  chriilian  {lock,   will 
make  it  rich  indeed. 

I  do  not  know  a  better  pradlce,  than  that  of  the 
primitive  chrillians — laying  by,  on  the  firft  day  of  the- 
week,  a  little  pittance  fur  this  purpofe.  Thefe  drops 
will  not  be  miffed  from  the  general  refervoir,  and  yet, 
colleClivelyt  will  rain  a  fliuwcr  of  bkffings  on  many  in.- 
digent  and  dillreffed. 


66  LETTERSTOA 


LETTER         XL. 


Y. 


OL'NG  ladies  have  many  methods  of  charity  be- 
Cdes  the  mere  ad  of  giving  yncKey.  That  time,  which 
fometimes  hangs  heavy  on  their  hands,  might  be  ufefully 
employed  in  making  garments  for  the  naked,  or  pro- 
viding cordials  for  the  Gck.  Such  an  aftive  benevolence 
would  likcwife  be  an  excellent  recipe  for  their  health 
and  rpirits  ;  it  would  dignify  their  character,  and,  when 
the  /.///  momeat  came,  gratitude  would  "  fnew  the 
"  garments,  which  a  Dorcas  had  mad:;,"  and  the  good 
name  "they  had  acquired,  would  be  infinitely  richer, 
**  and  more  precious  than  ointment.'* 

If  I  wifhcd  a  woman  to  be  unherfally  charming,  I 
vould  recommend  this  expedient.  Corapafiion  is  the 
higheft  excellence  of  your  fcs,  and  charity  is  the  facred 
root  from  v.hich  it  fprings.  The  foft  bofom  of  a  wo- 
man, tarobbirg  v»ith  fympathy,  or  her  eye  gliftening 
with  cryft^l  drops  of  pity,  are  f)me  of  the  fineft  touches 
in  nature's  pencil.  The  whole  train  of  accomplilliments, 
the  whole  group  of  graces  do  not  exalt  her  half  io  much 
in  the  eftimation  of  the  worthy,  the  amiable  and  the 
difcerning.  A^as  \  when  death  comes,  what  will  be 
all  the  accomplifhroents  and  grace?  r  But  charily  (hall 
Dever  fail  ;  its  pleafures  then  are  gainnig  their  meridian 
of  perfection.  Remenriber  what  the  fciipturehps  faid, 
**  alms  giving  delivereth  fronn  death,  and  will  not  fuffer 
**  us  to  come  into  darknefs.**  The  yoi:ng  lady  you 
have  fo  frequently  heaid  me  mention,  as  (landing  high 
in  my  efteem,  is  very  eminertly  diilinguilhed  by  this 
grace.  Nature  has  been  fufficienrly  kind  to  her  per/or.  ; 
but  it  is  not  her  fweet  complexion,  it  is  not  her  flowing, 
unartincial  ringlets,  it  is  not  the  foftnejs  of  her  voice 
and  manner,  or  the  w/Vi/ luftre  of  her  eyes,  that  would 
have  cailed  forth  a  panegyric  from  my  pen,  or  touched 
a  bread,  that  is  confiderably  petrined  with  philofophy 
and  reSexioo.  It  is  a  ccnvi<5iion  that  fhe  lives  in  the 
coaiiant  exercife  oi piety;  that  her  excellenciesare chiefly 


YOUNG     LADY.  67 

thofe  of  the  w/V;^,  and  that  her  benevolence  is  bounded 
only  by  creation. 

When  others  are  at  plays  cr  aflemblies,  her  fair  hands 
are  making  garments  for  the  naked,  or  relloratives  for 
the  fick  Tlie  ingenuity,  which  fome  of  her  fifter  fe- 
males employ  to  adorn  thevjjehss,  is  confecrated  by /'i-r, 
to  thefervice  of  the  poor. 

This  is  laying  up  in  ftore  againfl  the  day  of  neceflity. 
This  is  weaving  for  herfelf  a  cliaplet  of  laurels,  that 
fhall  be  green  in  age.  Her  countenance  fhall  fmile  even 
in  diffolution.  A  beauteous  ruin  **  even  in  death  fhe 
*'  (hall  have  power  to  charm  ;"  and  the  gratitude  of 
fome  admirjnc^  bnrd  fliall  colkft  her  fcattered  merits 
into  an  urn  that  (hall  long  fecure  the  precious  rclicks 
from  the  ravages  of  time. 

But  I  will  not  add  another  touch  to  the  portrait,  for 
fear  of  difcovering  the  excellent  original.  I  fhould 
wound  that  foft  and  delicate  timidity,  which  is,  in  my 
Idea,  \}\t  enaviel  o{  her  graces.  Her  true  merit  v\irne8 
to  be  unkno'wn.  It  is  fatisfied  with  its  tfot';/,  and  the 
approbation  of  its  God. 

LETTER         XLL 


A 


L  M  S,  however,  to  the  hcdxy  which  iruft  very 
foon  periOi,  are  but,  if  I  may  fo  lay,  the  thr^fnohi  of 
charily.  The  true  fub/Jwe  of  it  is  compaflion  to  the 
foul  ;   becaufe  that  is  immortal,  and  cjin  never  die. 

Every  effort* to  fave  //v/,  is  exalted  in  its  nature,  and 
the  nearell  approach  we  can  make,  in  thefe  houfcs  of 
clay,  to  the  minitlry  of  angeis,  to  the  attributes^  of 
Jehovah,  and  to  the  unbounded  compafiion  of  i  im, 
who  died  for  the  fins  of  all. 

A  few,  timely  advices,  inftruftions  or  reproofs  to 
thofe,  over  whom  our  fortune  or  (lation  give  us  any 
influence,  may  have  more  lading  and  beneticial  corfe- 
quences,  than  all  the  food  or  raiment,  or  money  we 
can  poflibly  beftow;  at  leail  when  we  give  our  tempo- 


CS  LETTERSTOA 

ral    things,  they   fhoulJ   be   perfumed    with  Jpiritualf 
"   with  words,   thus  fpoken  in  due  feafon." 

The  inflitution  of  Sunday  Schools  promlfes  the  hap- 
pieft  confequences  to  the  poor,  and  the  community  at 
large.  It  has,  indeed,  already  produced  a  furptifing 
reformation.  The  prcfent  age  beholds  the  dawn  of  a 
blefled  morning,  which  in  another,  may  brighten  into 
a  more  perfe»fl  day. 

If  \i/aih,  it  vvili  be  fiom  carelefTncfs  and  indolence 
in  the  parents  themfelves,  or  for  want  of  attention 
from  the  higher  orders  of  people.  Many,  who  will  give 
their  money,  are  not  equally  liberal  of  their  exertion. 
This  grand  fcheme,  however,  requires  an^ unremitting 
labour  and  vigilance.  It  is  the  watchful  eyc\A fuperiorj 
which  alone  will  produce  exemplarinefs  in  the  teachers, 
or,  in  the  fcholars,  emulation.  And  I  do  not  know  a 
greater  charity  wiihin  the  fphereof  a  young  lady,  than 
to  vifit  the  girls  in  thefe  ufeful  feminaries  ;  in  order  to 
coireifl  their  foibles,  encourage  their  dawning  virtues, 
and  ftimulate  them  to  improvement.  Clofe,  uncom- 
fortable rooms,  it  is  true,  in  cellars  ox  garrets,  poifoned 
with  unpleafant  fmells,  and  but  filled  with  poor  children^ 
are  no  very  inviting  objects  to  thofe,  who  live  in  houfes, 
*'  cieled  with  cedar,  and  painted  with  vermilion."  But 
the  merit  of  the  allien  is,  doubtlefs,  in  proportion  to 
its  unpleafantnefs  ;  and  it  is  done  for  him,  who  on  our 
account,  rtfufed  neither  hardfhip  nor  diftrefs.  Thefe- 
poor  childien,  he  has  vouchfafed  to  call  "  his  lambs," 
and  it  is  a  moft  chriitian  effort  to   '*  feed  them." 

Such  advice  will,  doubtlefs,  found  very  llrange  in  the 
ears  of  fome  young  ladiep,  who  dare  "  fcaicely  fet' 
**  their  feet  upon  the  ground  for  delicatenefs  and  ten- 
"  dernefs."  But  this,  alas!  is  a  falfe  imd  over  aded 
refinemeiU.  They  were  not  born  merely  to  vegetate, 
like  tulip<J,  for  oJieTitation.  The  world,  their  friends, 
the  poor,  religion,  have  claims  upon  them.  All  na- 
ture, fun,  moon,  liars,  tides,  preach  up  the  neceflity 
of  coritinual  aclion  ;  and  I  will  ventme  to  fay,  that 
this  kind  of  exertion  would  be  recompenfed  with  fuch 
a  fecret  pieafure,  as  they  never  found  \\\  the  gay  ell 
circles  of  fafhion,  or  the  moft  crovs^ded  haunts  of  dlf^ 
fipation. 


Y  O  U  N  G    L  A  D  Y.  69 

Another  excellent  mode  of  charity,  is  difperfing  lit- 
tle, religious  tva6ls  amongft:  your  poor  neighbours. 
Thefe,  with  theblcfllng  of  God,  may  have  a  wonder- 
ful efFedl,  and  indeed  be  doing  moft  extenfive  good, 
when  you  arc  no  more.  Every  family  of  fervants  fliould 
have  a  fmall  chrilllan  library  ;  the  benefits,  I  doubt 
not,  would  foon  be  felt  in  their  orderly  deportment. 

The  Society  for  promoting  chriftian  knowledge 
abounds  with  a  variety  of  little,  plain,  ufeful  treatifes, 
that  are  fulted  to  all  occafions.  You  may  cafily  procure 
a  catalogue  of  the  whole,  and  feleft  fuch,  as  are  moft; 
adapted  to  the  (late  of  your  particular  dependants. 

On  the  whole,  my  dear  girl,  that  time  which  tar- 
nifheth  the  glory  of  all  human  things,  will  quickly  lay 
both  you  and  me,  in  the  dull  of  the  earth.  Let  ns 
endeavour  to  extend  this  little  fpan  by  amiable  adlions, 
and,  if  poflible,  render  our  men^orles  immortal. 


LETTER         XLIL 

MY    DEAR    LUCY, 


T 


H  E  very  firll  thing  I  mould  recommend  after 
religious  duties,  as  abfolutely  cffentlal  to  your  private 
comfort,  is  felf  goveniwe^it  in  the  fulled  fenfe  of  the 
word.  This  may  be  fuppofed  to  be  Inchided  under  the 
article  of  religion.  And  fo  in  fad  it  is.  But  there 
are  many  well  difpofcd  people,  that  feem  to  think  little 
things  cf  this  kind  ahnoll  beneath  their  notice,  though 
in  reality  they  are  interwoven  wilh  the  repofe  of  every 
day,  and  almoll  every  moment. 

The  difcipline  of  the  imagination  is  the  firfl  thing  to 
be  attempted.  This,  in  young  people,  is  naturally 
warm  ;  and  if  they  are  not  cautious,  will  be  apt  to 
mi  Head  them  into  very  dangerous  errors. 

Thus  whatever  captlvat'^s  \\\<:\\'  fancy ^  they  take, 
without  examination,  to  be  all  over  excellence.  Tinfel, 
becaufe  it  glitten  more,  will  be  preferred  to  folld  gold ; 
a  luxutiant,   florid  ityle  In  a  writer,   to  the  foundeFl  and 


70  L  E  T  T  E  R  S     T  O     A 

bed  arranged  arguments  ;  tlic  (hewy  and  brilliant  in 
charaSiersy  to  the  truly  valuable,  and  the  gaudy  in 
(irefs,  to  that  artlefs  finipllcity,  which  is  the  ofl'sprlng 
of  an  elegant  and  wtll  cultivated  taile. 

Young  people,  almoll  uiiiverfjlly  fubje6l  themfelves 
to  this  kind  of  illufion.  They  enter  upon  life,  as  an 
inckatited  country.  The  world,  in  their  idea,  has  no 
caprice  ;  fortune,  no  viciflltude  ;  friendfhip  is  without 
infiiiccrity  ;  attachment  without  bitters,  and  marriage 
is  all  happinefs  without  allay.  What  the  fcripture  has 
called  a  iviUernffsy  they  vc\^\.t  ■Ql  par adife^  whofe  land- 
fliips  are  delicioufly  pidlurefque,  and  whofe  fpring  is 
ever  green. 

Experience,  be  aflured,  will  not  realize  fuch  high 
expedlaiions.  You  will  find,  that  every  objeCl  has  its 
imperfedions ;  that  the  world  at  bed  is  but  a  mixture 
of  good  and  ill,  and  that  the  lights  of  the  pi6lure  will 
be  interfperfed  with  fliades. 

You  will  afk,  where  is  the  great  harm  of  indulging, 
for  a  little  while,  thefe  high  colourings  of  fancy?  Tlie 
inconvenience  is  obvious.  It  will  expofe  you  to  perpe- 
tual dilappointments,  and  difappointments  will  create 
difgud.  By  fuch  a  falfe  fublimation,  you  will  have 
no  relifh  for  the  rational  pleafures,  and  no  refolution  to 
perform  the  folid  duties  of  your  condition.  At  any 
rate,  you  will  want  a  proper  fhare  of  fortitude  and  pa- 
tience to  encounter  the  many  unavoidable  illi  and  cala- 
mities of  life. 


LETTER        XLITI. 

X  HE  Tiextt  mod  important  thing,  is  the  govern- 
ment of  your  temper,  I  know  many  perfons,  that 
would  not,  for  the  world,  be  abfent  from  the  facra- 
ment,  or  refufe  to  do  a  generous  aflion,  yet  indulge 
themfelves,  feemingly  without  remorfe,  in  fuch  little 
inftances  of  ill-nature,  peevifhnefs,  tyranny,  and  ca- 
price towards  their  fervants  and  inferiors,  as  render 
their  houfes  a  perpetual  fcene  of  difcord,  and  hang,  on 
every  countenance,  an  uncomfortable  gloom. 


Y  O  U  N  G     L  A  D  Y.  71 

Such  people  fliould  confider,  that  religion  was  In- 
tended to  regulate  the  moll  ordinary  adlions  of  our  lives  ; 
that  prayers,  facraments,  and  opportunities  of  doing 
great  good  come,  comparatively,  but  feldom  ;  but  that 
it  is,  every  moment,  in  our  power  to  dlffufe  happinefs 
amongft  our  domcftics,  and  that  this,  if  it  proceeds 
from  proper  motives,  will  be  an  acceptable  fervlce  to  the 
God,  who  has  appointed  all  the  different  ranks  in  fo- 
ciety,  and  is  the  father  of  all  compaflion.  Nor  have 
v'c  much  imbibed  the  true  fpirit  of  the  gofpel,  If  it 
has  not  taught  us  to  bear  patiently  the  imperfedions  of 
our  fellow-creatures,  and  to  temper  authority  with  gen- 
tlenefs  and  good  nature. 

No  confcquence  can  juftlfy  one  fingle  a6l  of  caprice^ 
fuUennefs  or  ill-humour.  It  is  a  direct  violation  of 
that  univerfal  law  of  charity,  which  requires  us,  in  all 
our  aftions,  to  keep  in  view,  the  happinefs  of  others, 
as  well  as  our  o'wn. 

Tyranny  is  a  downright  infult  to  any  creature  formed 
In  the  image  of  God  ;  it  would  be  unpardonable,  if 
exercifed  even  to  a  worm  or  iiifedl,  and  generally  pro- 
ceeds from  caufes,  which  refleft  no  honour  on  the  heart 
or  underllandlng.  It  is  often  the  refult  of  a  7ieiV'born 
greatnefs,  that  lias  not  yet  learned  how  to  bear  fupe- 
riority  ;  of  a  fpleen,  colle6\ed  from  want  of  employ- 
ment, or  a  natural^  ill- temper,  that  never  has  fubmit- 
ted  to  the  difcipllne  of  virtue. 

MiLinefs  is  nectffary  to  our  own  comfort.  They, 
who  are  continually  tormenting  others^  mull  be  wretch- 
ed the7?ifelves.  It  is  effcntial  to  the  dignity  of  our  eivn 
chara<rter  ;  and  it  is,  I  am  fure,  the  h'xghtii  policy j  whe- 
ther we  mean  to  fecure  the  ajfc^ionsy  or  the  good  fcr- 
vices  of  our  dependants. 

It  is  a  pitiful  condefcinfion  in  a  woman  of  fortune  to 
aggravate  every  little  caufe  of  complaint.  A  ruffled, 
angry,  fcolding  woman  is  fo  far  z'ulgar  and  difgufling, 
and,  for  the  moment,  a  fort  of  virago. 

Moderation  is  the  great  fecrtt  (^f  government.  To 
be  always  dliralished  is  the  way  to  lofe  all  authority  and 
refpeft.  The  confequencc  of  thofe  people  is  moft 
cheerfully  acknowledged,  who  feem  the  leall  forward 
to  affert  it. 


72  L  E  T  T  E  R  S     T  O     A 

And  what  fays  the  law  of  all  wifdom  and  of  all  per* 
fcfllon  ?  "Mailers,  give  unto  your  fcrvants,  that  which 
**  is  juft  and  equal,  knowing  that  ye  alio  have  a  mafter 
"  in  htaven.  Put  on,  as  the  eleft  of  a  God,  bowels 
*'  of  mercies,  kindnefs,  humblenefs  of  mind,  long  fuf- 
*'  feriug,  forbearing  one  another,  and  forgiving  one 
**  another.  Learn  of  me,  for  I  am  meek  and  lowly  in 
*'   heart.      Be  pitiful,   be  courteous." 

If  the  gofpel  was  publiHied  *'  to  bring  peace  on  earth, 
**  and  good  will  towards  men,"  this  kind  affe<!:^ion 
(hould  begin  with  families,  which,  colU^iively^  compofe 
all  the  nations  of  the  world. 


LETTER        XL  IV. 


T: 


H  E  piety,  I  have  recommended,  will  make  you 
always  happy  in  yourfelf,  and  rcfpeded  by  all  the  wor- 
thy and  dilcerning,  though  you  Ihould  happen  to  have 
none  of  thofe  /«/i//c'f7:^i7/ endowments,  which  procure 
a  greater  fhare  of  fame  and  admiration.  But  you  may 
be  fefijibh,  as  well  as  piom  ;  you  may  be  entertaining., 
as  -wtW  z,%  good.  Your  reafon  and  underftanding  were 
given  you  to  be  improved;  2.  proper  purfuit  of  know- 
ledge, at  the  fame  time,  will  aid  and  inflame  your /;/V/y, 
and  render  you  much  more  valuable  and  interefting  to 
all  your  acquaintance.  When  the  foundation  is  laid  in 
virtue,  X.\\q  fuperJJrucIure  may  have  every  graceful  em- 
belliflimer.t. 

Knowledge  will  recommend  you  to  many,  over  whom 
mere  piety  would  have  no  power.  It  will  give  a  greater 
energy  to  your  goodne/s.  The  pidure  will  be  t/:uj  ele- 
gantly framed,   and  placed  in  the  beft  point  of  view. 

Learned  women,  however,  have  b>fen  often  a  proverb 
of  reproach,  feared  by  their  own  fex,  and  difliked  by 
ours.  A  negle£t  of  their  perlon,  and  of  family  con- 
cerns, as  of  little  things  beneath  a  fuperior  underftand- 
ing ;  a  vain  oilentation  of  their  abilities  in  ro;/;/'/^/^,  and 
upon  all  occafions,  a  fupercilious  contempt  of  their 
fuler  women  in  general,   and   an    ungraceful  avidity  for 


YOUNGLADY.  75 

the  company  of  men,  have  been  reckoned  amongd  their 
diftin^uifhed  charatlerlilics. 

The  truth  Is,  fome  females  have  been  viragos  In  their 
knowledge,  not  only  injudicious  in  the  khid  they  have 
afplred  10,  but  the  ufe  they  have  made  of  it,  and  an 
indifcriinlnatt;  ftlgma  has  been  fixed  upon  all,  who 
have  endeavoured  rationally  to  improve  their  under- 
llandings. 

On  the  other  hand,  It  Is  fald  of  women,  thr.t  they 
are  fo  Ignorant,  frivolous  and  infipid,  as  to  be  unfit  for 
friendflilp,  fociety  or  converfation  ;  that  they  are  unable 
to  amiife,  entertain  or  edify  a  lonely  hour,  much  more 
to  blefs  or  grace  that  connexion,  for  which  they  were 
principally  formed. 

What,  my  dear  girl,  can  a  judicious  woman  do,  ia 
fuch  a  dilemma  ?  How  mufi:  (he  aft  to  avoid  the  Impu- 
tation of  pedantry  on  th^  one  hand,  and  ignorance  on 
the  other. 

There  is  a  narrow,7/i;Vi//if  path  betwixt  thefe  extremes. 
Judgment  mull;  point  It  out,  and  good  fcnfe  diretl  you 
in  the  execution. 

The  prom.inent  excellencies  of  your  minds  gre  taftc 
and  imagination,  and  your  knowledge  fliould  be  of  a 
kind,  which  ajjimilates  with  thefe  faculties.  Politics, 
philofophy,  mathematics,  or  metaphyfics  are  not  your 
province.  Machiavel,  Newton,  Euclid,  Malebranche 
or  Locke  would  lie  with  a  very  ill  grace  In  your  clofcts. 
They  would  render  you  un^vomanly  indeed.  They 
would  damp  that  vivacity  and  deftroy  that  difengaged 
eafe  and  Joftnsfsi  which  are  the  very  ejjence  of  your 
graces. 

The  elegant  fludles  are,  more  Immediately,  your  de- 
partment. They  do  not  require  fo  much  time,  abllrac- 
tion  or  comprehenfivenefs  of  mind  ;  they  bring  no 
wrinkles,  and  they  will  give  a  polI(h  to  your  manners, 
and  fuch  a  liberal  expaniion  to  your  undeiftanding,  as 
every  rational  creature  fhould  endeavour  to  attain. 

Whild  ;/?<?//,  with  folid  judgment  and  a  fuperior  vigour 
are  to  combine  ideas,  to  difcrlmlnate,  and  examine  a 
fubjetl  to  the  bottom,  you  are  to  give  It  all  Its  brilliancy 
and  all   its    charms.      They  provide   the  furniture  j  you 

Vol.  ].  E 


74  LETTERS     TO     A 

difpofe  it  with  propriety.      They  build    the  houfc ;  ygu 
are  to  fancy,  and  to  ornament  ihe  cie//;;^. 

Cultivate,  then,  fuch  ftudies,  as  lie  within  the  region 
of  fentiment  and  tafle.  Let  your  knowledge  bey^;;//- 
»//7^,  as  well  as  your  perfon.  And  let  it  glow  'within 
you,  rather  than  fparkle  upon  others  about  you.  A 
diamond,  fo  polifhcd,  will  always  be  valued.  You  will 
charm  all,  but  the  ignoraiu  and  vulgar.  You  will 
be  a  rational,  entertaining  companion,  and  the  fymme- 
try  of  your  features  will  derive  a  double  luftre  from  the 
beauties  of  your  mind. 


E 


T     T     E     R         XLV, 


NDEAVOUR  to  acquire  a  tafte  for  the  beau- 
ties of  fine  writing,  as  it  is  difplayed  in  our  prefent, 
numerous  lift  of  Englifh  cl.iflics,  the  Speculators,  Tat- 
lere,  the  Guardian,  the  Rambler,  the  Adventurer,  the 
World,  &c.  1  have  placed  Addifon  at  the /;^^^  of 
this  catalogue,  becaufe  he,  more  frequently  than  any 
of  the  reft,  gives  leftbns  of  morality  and  prudence  to 
your  fex,  and,  for  delicacy  of  fentiment,  is  peculiarly 
adapted  to  female  reading.  There  is  fometimes  per- 
haps, a  languor  in  his  papers.  He  may  not  have  all 
that  fire  and  energy  and  pathos,  which  have  fince  cha- 
rafterifed  fome  celebrated  writers  ;  but  for  eafe,  grace- 
fulnefs,  fimpiicity  and  nature,  he  is  abfolutely  without 
a  rival,  and,  perhaps,  ever  nvill  be  witliout  a  fuperior. 
A  critic  *  of  modern  times  has  faid,  that  whoever 
would  write  the  Englifti  language  with  eafe,  fliould 
fpend  his  days  and  nights  in  reading  the  works  of  Ad- 
difon. 

To  this  frequent  perufal  of  the  beft  writers,  add,  if 
poffible,  an  acquaintance  with  fome  living  characters 
of  improved  education.  Converfation  with  people  of 
genius  and  fentiment  is  the  eafieft  and  quickeft  way  to 
improvement.  It  gives  us  all  its  graces,  without  its 
aufterities  ;  its  depth,  without  its  wrinkles.     We  foon 

*  Dr.  Johnfon. 


y  O  U  N  G     L  A  D  Y.  75 

grow  languid  and  gloomy  with  abfira^ed  ^wd'ic^,  weary 
of  ourfelves,  and  fated  with  our  purfuits.  Converfation 
gently  agitates  the  fedentary  frame,  and  gives  a  briflcer 
motion  to  the  blood  and  fpirits.  The  conntenance  is 
flufhed  with  pleafure  ;  the  eyes  fparkle,  the  heart  ex- 
pands and  glows  with  emulation. 


..^y.,..^}...<^<^^g>..iy....^y 


LETTER        XLVr. 


T 


O  wiite  letters  well  is  a  very  defirable  eKCillence 
in  a  wom;in.  Every  fituation,  character,  connt-xion  ; 
devotion,  fricndfhip,  love,  bufinefs,  ^// require  the  ex- 
crcife  of  this  talent.  It  is  an  office  particularly  fuited 
to  the  livelinefs  of  your  fancy,  and  the  fenfibility  of 
your  heart  ;  and  your  fcx,  in  general,  much  excels  our 
own,  in  the  ea/e  and  graces  of  epiftolary  correfpon- 
dence.  Not  cramped  with  the  fhacklcs  and  formality 
of  rules,  their  thoughts  are  exprefled  fpontaneoujly^  as 
they  flow,  and  become,  more  immediately,  (what  a 
letter  2i\\vzy^  JJjould  be,)  a  lively,  amufing,  nvritten  con- 
vcrfation.  A  man  attends  to  the  niceties  of  grammar,  or 
well  turned  periods  ;  a  nvoman  gives  us  the  efFulions  of 
her  foul.  The  firft  may  pleafe  a  few,  languid  critics  ; 
the  latter  will  delight  every  perfon  of  fenfibility  and 
difcernment. 

I  had  once  the  honour  of  correfponding  with  a  lady, 
whofe  letters  aftoniflied  me.  Imagery,  tafte,  pathos, 
fpirit,  fire  and  eafe  vied  with  each  other,  which  (hould 
be  the  moft  conjptcuous  feature  in  the  produdions  of 
her  pen.  They  came  not  from  the  head;  it  was  the 
hearty  which  wrote  them.  They  were  not  faultlefs, 
but  they  were  impaffioned.  They  had  defefts,  but 
they  had  likewife  beauties,  which  mull  have  warmed 
the  coldell  critic,  that  ever  exifted.  They  were  inter- 
efling  to  an  high  degree,  and  left  this  convidlion  flrong- 
ly  on  my  mind,  that  we  often  labour  only  to  be  dull, 
and,  in  the  fearch  of  diflant  ornaments,  chill  the  natu- 
ral fervours  of  the  foul. 

E  2 


i6  L  E  T  T  E  R  S     T  O     A 


LETTER        XLVII, 


w 


I  T  H  tl'.c  hiftory  of  our  cnivt  country  you 
cannot  decently  be  unacquainted.  It  would  betray  an 
unpardonable  ii^norancc,  if  you  could  not  ttll,  on  being 
afked  in  company,  the  general  charafter  of  all  the  fo- 
vereigns,  tliat  have  fat  upon  the  Britifh  throne  ;  what 
were  the  religion,  manners,  cuftoms,  ceremonies  of 
the  primitive  inhabitants  of  the  ifland  ;  by  what  m.cans 
the  prefent  (late  of  civih'zation  has  been  gradually  in- 
troduced ;  what  contributed  to  bring  about  our  refor- 
mation from  the  chuich  of  Rome  ;  at  what  period  the 
outline  of  our  happy  conftitution  firft  began  to  be 
flcetched  out,  and  what  is  the  particular  excellence  of 
our  government,  over  all  others  in  the  known  world. 

If  indeed  you  confider  hiilory  in  its  proper  light, 
not  as  a  mere  detail  of  names,  fa6lb,  epochs,  and  events, 
but  as  a  pifture  of  human  nature,  and  of  the  wonder- 
ful adminillration  of  Providence,  apportioning  rewards 
andpunifhments  to  nations, and  frequently  to  individuals, 
according  to  their  aftions,  it  will  become  not  only  an 
entertaining  ftudy,  but  a  fource  of  the  fublimeO,  moral 
improvement.  It  will  give  you  the  richeft  know- 
ledge of  men  and  things  ;  from  what  has  happened, 
you  may  deduce  what  ivilly  in  fimilar  fituations  ;  and 
you  will  learn  to  adore  the  wifdom,  juftlce  and  perfec- 
tions  of  him,  who,  under  all  the  changes  of  time,  falls 
of  empire,  the  conflids  of  paflion,  and  the  interefts  of 
men,  is  the  fame  '*  yefterday,  to-day,  and  for  ever  ;** 
carrying  on,  amJdIt  all  apparent  diforder,  one  grand 
and  comprehenfive  fcheme  of  happinefs  and  probation. 

Goldfmith  has  agreeably  abridged  and  condcnfed  the 
Englifh  hiftory,  in  a  well  known  work  of  two  fmall  vo- 
lumes, intitled  Letters  from  a  Nobleman  to  his  Son,  If 
your  curlofity  is  excited  to  purfue  this  ftudy  on  a  larger 


YOUNG     LADY.  77 

fcale,  Henry  will  give  you  every  thing  that  delights  in 
genius,  language,  colouring  and  difcription*. 

Hume  is  by  no  means,  an  impartial  hidorian,  but 
he  is  a  very  fplendid,  captivating  writer.  If  he  is 
not  difpaflionate,  he  is  always  inchanting  ;  and,  if  he 
does  not  uniformly  convince,  he  never  fails  to  charm. 

It  had  been  happy  for  this  writer,  if  he  had  never 
attempted  any  thing  but  hi/lory.  He  might  then  have 
gone  to  his  grave  with  unequivocal  applaufe.  But  in 
jiis  moral  and  metaphyfical  works,  he  is  an  enemy  to 
the  deareft  interefls  of  mankind.  He  has  endeavoured 
to  fap  the  foundations  of  that  religion,  which  is  the 
only  fource  of  every  hope  and  every  comfort.  His 
cold  and  fullen  fcepticlfm  has  done  infinite  mifchief. 
It  more  than  fuUies  all  the  luftre  of  his  literary  fame. 


-<>■••— <>"<^e>  :3>^S;  •••<>••  •■<>■- 

LETTER        XLVIil. 


R 


O  B  E  R  T  S  O  N's  Hidory  of  Charles  the  fifth, 
and  of  Mary  Queen  of  Scots,  will  both  inftruil  and 
entertain  you.  The  hifloriographer  has  been  efleemed 
iin  excellent  writer.  But  I  have  always,  in  private, 
thought  his  ftyle  too  laboured  and  ftately.  It  has  not 
the  eafe  and  fimplicity  of  the  ancients.  It  does  not 
equal  feveral  of  the  moderns.  It  has  neither  the  con- 
cife  energy  of  Hume,  nor  the  more  flov/ing  and  eafy 
graces  of  Gibbon. 

The  late  Dr.  Stewart,  in  a  very  elegant  work,  has 
controverted  almoft  all  the  afTertions  of  his  prcdeceflbr, 
concerning  Mary,  and  become  the  champion  of  this 
unfortunate  queen.  But  you  have  nothing  to  do  with 
literary  controverfy.  Leave  them  to  the  tribunal  of 
an  impartial  public.  Tiine  will  weigh  their  fcparatc 
merits  in  the  balance  of  truth.     Either  or  both  of  them 


•  "  Dr,  Henry's  Hiftory  of   Great-Britain  contains  more  good 
matter  than  any  hiftory  we  yet  have." 

Analytical  Review,  Number  III. 
for  July,  1788^  p.  597. 

E3 


78  LETTERS     TO     A 

will  exerclfe  your  tafte,  and  improve  your  undcrftand- 
ing. 

Stretch's  Be;iiitic3  of  Hiftory*  will  furuifli  you  with 
many  fliort,  agreeable  anecdotes,  both  ancient  and  mo- 
dern, at  a  very  fmall  expence  of  time  and  trouble. 
Knowledge  lhvse/>iiomizedyls  what  I  fhould  recommend. 
On  fucli  fubjcc^s,  you  want  fhort  and  pithy  fketchcs, 
rather  than  laboured  and  prolix  diflcrlations. 

The  hiilory  of  Greece  and  Rome  is  fo  frequently  al- 
luded to,  fo  connefled  with  that  of  almoll  all  other  na- 
tions, and  fo  full  of  curious  incidents  and  anecdotes, 
that  a  little  knowledge  of  it  would  be  very  ufeful  and 
entertaining.  But,  in  general,  the  writers  on  the  fub- 
jed,  are  too  voluminous  for  2i  fcrnale.  They  make  up 
no  little  fhare  of  the  labour,  in  a  claffical  education. 
Goldfmith  has  likewife  given  his  alTiftance  to  epitomize 
this  branch  of  hiftory.  I  know  no  other  writer  fo  pro- 
per for  your  purpofe. 

To  attain  juft  a  glimpfe  of  general  hiftory,  the  mod 
ufefnl  work  I  recollcft,  is  the  Abbe  Millot's  Eleifiifntes 
Jur  I*  Htjloire.  On  his  comprehenfive  and  condenfed 
plan,  there  is  much  in  a  little  compafs.  By  travelling 
over  a  few  fields,  you  gain  a  moft  immenfe  and  extend- 
ed horizon,  and  many  trails  of  hitherto  undifcovered 
country.  Hiftory  at  large  is  fo  voluminous  and  com- 
plicated, that,  to  a  young  lady,  who  fhould  under- 
Itand,  as  it  were,  but  the  outlifie,  it  very  much  wants 
fuch  a  mode  of  abridgment,  z^iS.  ftmplification. 


R 


LETTER        XLIX. 

MY    DEAR    LUCY, 


O  L  L  I  N's  ancient  hiftory  is  a  treafure  to  young 
people,  if  the  number  of  volumes  does  not  alarm  you. 
This   man  was  one  of  the   moft   excellent  preceptors, 


♦  A   new   EdiiioQ  of  which    has  lately  been  publifhcd  in  2  vols. 
Price  6s.  6d. 


YOUNGLADY.  79 

that  the  world  ever  faw.  It  was  his  ambition  to  unite 
the  fcholar,  and  the  chritllan.  He  labours  to  promote 
religious  im.provemerit»  by  every  incident  he  relates. 
He  holds  forth  Providence,  as  continually  fuperintend- 
ing  the  government  of  the  univerfe,  and  its  finger,  as 
direfting  all  the  inovemerit s  of  the  fyftcm  ;  and,  when 
he  has  related  a  number  of  furprifing  viciflitudcs  and 
events,  he  takes  his  pupil  up  *'  to  an  high  mountain, 
**  from  whence  he  fliews  him  all  the  kingdoms  of  the 
"  world,  and  all  the  glories  of  them"  to  be  continu- 
ally under  the  control  and  direction  of  heaven,  and 
not  colleilively  to  pofTcls  half  the  lullre  of  the  excellence 
of  one,   pious  difpofuion. 

Under  the  pen  of  this  moft  chrlfllan  writer,  every 
hafer  metal  is  purified  from  its  alloy.  Every  foundinnr 
acftion  is  divefted  of  its  bombaj},  and  traced  to  its  real 
fource.  Splendour  has  no  dignity,  if  unaflbciated  with 
virtue.  Ambition  is  painted  as  2ifuryi  that  dtltroys. 
Heroifm  is  reprefented,  as  murder  in  difguife.  The 
laurels  of  an  Alexander  are  wrefted  from  his  brow. 
Caefar  is  llripped  of  his  fiftitious  plumage.  They  are 
both  dcfcribed,  as  vultures,  preying  on  thtir  fpc^cies, 
who  were  born  to  be  only  the /^(5«r^<?/ of  humanity, 
and  a  terror  to  the  world. 

This  man  deferves  univerfal  veneration.  His  pupils 
fhould  have  raifed  a  monument  to  his  memory,  and  pof- 
terity  have  rendered  that  monument,  immortal.  I^earn- 
ing  and  religion  fhould  be  grouped  over  his  tomb, 
mingling  their  united  tears  for  the  lofs  of  his  virtues. 

If  you  have  not  leifure  to  perufe  his  writings,  yet 
be  careful  to  read  all  sther  hiftory  with  this  view,  and 
it  will  lead  you  to  God.  It  will  teach  you,  no  longer, 
to  be  dazzled  with  grandeur,  becanfe  grandeur  fades 
away.  It  will  fhew  you,  that  vices  have  demolifhed 
the  mightieft  empires,  and  fwept  the  fined  cities  "with 
the  befom  of  deilrudion."  It  will  convince  you,  that 
every  thing  on  earth  is  a  fhadow,  and  that  neither  men 
nor  nations  "  continue  in  one  ftay.'*  It  will  aflure  you, 
that,  *'  though  clouds  and  darknefs  may  be  about  the 
**  throne  of  God,  yet  righteoufnefs  and  judgment  arc 
"  the  habitation  of  his  feat."  It  will  inftrudl  you, 
that  every   atlion  Is    "  weighed  in  Its  balance ;    that, 

E4 


fo  L  E  T  T  E  R  S     T  O     A 

however,  [eeminglyy  difregarded  for  a  time,  vice  and 
virtue  will  have  their  juft  proportion  of  punifhment  or 
reward,  and  that  nothing  but  rellgicn  will  be  able  to 
triumph,  anriidft  the  crufti  of  elements,  of  ruatter, 
and  the  world. 


LETTER 

MY     DEAR     LUCY, 


T 


HOUGH  I  think  every  woman  in  the  world 
Jlioald  execrate  the  memory  of  the  late  Lord  ChclUr- 
field,  as  having  written  the  mod  fcandalous  libtls  on 
her  fex,  yet  his  ficetches  of  heathen  mythology,  of 
Grecian,  Roman,  and  Britifli  hiftory,  in  the  fij  ll  vo- 
lume of  his  letters,  are  well  worth  your  attention.  If 
this  ingenious  nob'cman  had  given  us  niore  fptcimeiis 
of  this  nature,  and  ftwer  Itdlures  on  the  graces  and  in- 
irigucy  the  gratitude  of  pofterity  would  have  embalmed 
his  afhes.  He  was  certainly  poflefled  of  an  elegant 
ftyle,  and  had  a  very  happy  method  of  conveying  his 
inftrudllons. 

But  In  order  to  make  any  real  improvement  In  this, 
or  any  other  of  your  (Indies,  let  me  advife  you  to  read 
only  one  half  hour,  at  a  time,  a?id  to  employ  a  double 
fpace,  in  abridging  and  expielfing  what  you  recoiled, 
in  your  on»n  language.  This  will  have  tht  double  ad- 
vantage of  imprefling  it  very  ftongly  on  your  memory, 
and  enabling  you  to  form  a  itylc  of  your  own. 

Though  a  good  (lyle  is,  doubtlefs,  a  mark  of  genius, 
and  not  attainable  by  every  perfon,  yet  it  depends 
amazingly  on  7nechamcal  habit,  as  well  as  our  gait, 
countenance  and  gefture.  The  pen  accuftomed  to  a 
certain  routine  of  period,  performs  it  as  Infenfibly,  as 
the  memory  retraces  all  the  variations  of  notes  in  a  fong, 
whilft,  perhaps,  we  are  filently,  occupied  with  fome 
other  objv^dt. 

Be  fo  kind  as  to  indulge  me  with  a  fight  of  thefe 
fhceu  exactly  as   they  are  penned  from  your  firji  Im- 


YOUNG    LADY.  8i 

preflions,  and  I  will  endeavour  to  correft  them.  Ba- 
nidi  the  childfly  fear  of  betraying  any  Ignorance,  where 
I  cannot  expedJ  you  to  be  informed  ;  and,  if  fome,  ef- 
fential  alterations  fhould  be  made,  remember  it  is  the 
pen  of  friendfhip,  which  erafes,  guided  by  that  affec- 
tion, with  which  I  have  the  honour  to  be, 

Your  ever  faithful 
and  affedionate. 


LETTER         LL 


T 


HAT  fpecies  of  hiftory,  which  defcrlbcs  the 
lives  and  charafters  of  particular  perfons,  and  is  includ- 
ed under  the  name  of  biography,  is  by  far  the  mo(l 
ufeful  and  interefting  to  a  woman.  Inllead  of  wars, 
fieges,  vidlorles  or  great  atchlevemenls,  which  are 
not  fo  much  within  the  province  of  a  female,  It  pre- 
fents  thofe  doimfcic  anecdotes  and  events,  which  come 
more  forcibly  home  to  her  bofom  and  her  curiofity. 

I  have  always  thought  that  one  great  advantage  of 
boys  over  girls,  is  their  having  the  mod  illuilriouscha- 
raders  of  antiquity  to  form  their  fentiments,  and  fire 
their  emulation.  Biography  will  open  to  you  the  fame 
fource  of  improvement.  You  will  read  of  perfons,  elevated 
with  every  noble  fentlment  and  virtue  ;  and  your  judg- 
ment and  tafte  will  feleft  lomc  particular  favourite  from 
the  gKoup,  as  a  model  for  your  Imitation. 

Though  Johnfon  has  been  To  very  much  celebrated 
in  the  republic  of  letters  for  all  his  produdtious,  yet  I 
have  always  thought  his  Lives  of  the  Potts  by  far  his 
mod  agreeable  performance.  It  has  not  that  turgid 
pompofity  of  llyle,  which  appears  in  fome  of  his  more 
juvenile  labours  ;  it  is,  all  along,  interfptrfed  with  ju- 
dicious fentiments  and  moral  reflexions  ;  it  abounds 
with  an  original  vein  of  critlcifm,  and  anecdotes  of  fo 
many  illudrious  men,  as  cannot  fail  to  amufe,  as  well 
as  to  inftrud.  His  criticifms,  it  is  true,  have  been 
controverted,  and  traduced  ;  but  what  writings  of  me- 
rit are  exempt  from  fuch  a  tax  ?     The  enthulii.dic  ad- 

E5 


82  LETTERSTOA 

mirers  of  Milton,  in  particular,  have  liandlcd  hitn 
him  with  feverity.  But  who  docs  not  know,  that  fa- 
vourites, at  any  rate,  will  be  defended  ? 

But  indeed  all  men  of  fenfe  uriiie  in  payinpr  a  fincerc 
tribute  of  refpc<fl  to  the  memory  of  Joknfon.  In  fpite 
of  all  his  petty  and  ungenerous  biojjraphcrs,  the  fncers 
of  party  malice,  or  the  ftill  fliarpcr  arrows  of  iiifidious 
friends,  he  ftands  an  huge  collofTus,  in  the  bofjrn  of  an 
ocean,   unmoved  with  the  angry  dafhing  of  its  waves. 

Johnfon  in  all  his  multiplied  produfiions,  has  not  a 
fingle  period,  that  can  patronize  Indecency,  or  unhinge 
belief.  And,  though,  woou,  it  fingnifies  but  little  to 
this  extraordinary  man,  that  he  was  confidered  as  an 
oracle  of  knowledge  in  his  days,  as  an  ornament  to  hia 
country,  and  a  blefling  to  the  world,  it  mufl:  tranfport 
liim  to  recullc<5t,  that  he  has  carefully  endeavoured  to 
diffufe  happinefs,  as  widely  as  his  writings,  and  to  ren- 
der piety  difTufive  as  his  fame.  The  death  of  the  au- 
thor will  exempt  me  from  fufpicions  of  flattery  or  de- 
fign  in  this  little  panegyric.  Gratitude  may  be  allow- 
ed to  offer,  without  any  cenfure,  this  little  incenfe 
to  his  venerable  fhadc. 

If  all  \\\t  private  anecdotes  of  every  perfon's  life  and 
temper  muft  be  arraigned  before  the  tribunal  of  the 
]>ubHc,  who  could  efcape  ?  If  Johnfon  nvas  unaccom- 
modating, rough  and  morofe,  let  it  be  remembered, 
tliat  thefe  were  but  little //w/'/i?/ on  a //(•;>;,  where  the 
heart  glowed  with  univerfal  benevolence  ;  let  it  be 
onfidered,  that  conflid^s,  difappolntments  and  misfor- 
tunes are  imfricndly  to  fweetnefs  of  manners  or  dif- 
pofition  ;  that  fevere  application  has  a  tendency  to 
lender  any  mail  irritable  and  peevlfh  ;  that  gaiety  and 
fprightHncfs  confiderahly  arife  from  an  eafe  of  circum- 
ftances  ;  and  let  us  oppofe  to  thefe  a  piety,  that  was 
profound  and  warm,  almoft,  to  fuperjiiticn,  and  un- 
wearied labours  for  the  fervice  of  manl.ind,  which 
fcarcely  knew  a  moment's  interruption. 


Y  O  U  N  G     L  A  D  Y.  9$ 


LETTER         Lll. 

v3ULLY'8  Memoirs,  in  five  volumes,  are  interfperf- 
cd  with  very  curious  and  inttrrefting  anecdotes  ;  and 
the  private  life  of  Louis  XV.  is  a  very  entertaining 
work.  Indeed  the  French  particularly  fhine  in  biogra- 
phical writing.  It  is  quite  in  t/^eir  province,  and 
forms  a  part  of  the  national  tafte.  Their  imagination 
fparklcs,  in  an  efpecial  manner,  in  painting  the  com- 
plexion of  courts,  monarchs  or  perfonages  of  diftinc- 
tion.  Tocy  feel  as  great  an  ardour  for  extolling  the 
virtues  of  their  /^  roi  and  his  attendants,  as  nve  do  for 
recording  all  the  great  atchievements  of  the  field  or 
ocean. 

The  Marquis  Caraccioli  is  univerfally  known,  as  an 
author  of  great  vivacity  and  talents.  He  has  written 
the  life  of  Pope  Clement  XIV.  and  it  does  honour  to 
his  pen,  as  w-ell  as  to  the  memory  of  the  fovereign 
pontiff. 

If  the  Marquis  really  wrote  the  letters,  which  go 
under  the  name  of  Ganganelli,  he  has  hit  off,  with  a 
wonderful  addrefs,  the  ear  and  features  of  the  illuftri- 
original.  The  habits,  fentiments,  manners  and  difpo- 
fjtion  of  the  Pope,  as  couched  in  this  life,  all  breathe 
through  thefd  letters. 

The  name  of  Dr.  Johnfon,  and  the  Intimacy  known 
to  have  fubfifted  betwixt  the  parties,  have  given  a  great 
currency  to  Mrs.  Piozzi's  anecdotes,  relating  to  this 
literary  hero.  But  they  have  v\oVi)/.viortalized  either 
her  talents,  or  the  goodncfs  of  her  heart.  They  are  a 
mod  difgufling  fpecimen  of  treachery  in  friendfhfp  ;  a 
copious  efTufion  oi  fpleen^  that  had  lo7:g  been  collcfting. 
They  remind  one  forcibly  of  a  number  of  little  infcdis, 
nibbling  at  their  eafe,  on  the  carcafi  of  fome  noble  an- 
imal, thai  a  Jingle  motion  of  the  living  creature  would 
have  difperfcd  in  an  inllant,  or  cruflied  into  atoms. 


«4  LETTERS     TO     A 


LETTER         LIII. 


w 


RAXALL  is  a  very  agreeable  aiitltor,  and  he 
ha3  cbofen  a  fruitful,  happy  fubjecSt,  in  his  Memoirs  of 
the  Kings  of  France,  of  the  Houfc  of  Valois.  The 
execution  is  not  inferior  to  the  judicloulnefs  of  the  de- 
ilgn.  His  book  has  an  admirer  in  every  pcrfon  of  fen- 
liment  and  talle. 

The  late  Mr.  Sheridan  is  allowed  to  have  pofTeflcd 
confidcrable  abilities.  He  has  given  the  world  a  fpe- 
cimen  of  them  in  his  life  of  Swift.  It  is,  however, 
in  my  idea,  too  flattering  a  portrait.  The  painter  wai 
a  countryman,  and  an  admirer.  No  talents  can  con- 
vert deformity  into  beauty,  or  make  darknefs  to  be 
light. 

Swift  was  a  very  great,  original  genius  ;  but  the 
indecency  of  fome  of  his  writings  is  intolerable  ;  his 
fpleen,  exceflive,  and  his  behaviour  to  Stella,  an  eternal 
(tigrna  on  his  memory  and  his  virtues.  Ever  dabbling 
in  the  turbid  ocean  of  politics,  what  bufinefs  had  he 
with  the  quiet  and  retired  haven  of  tlie  church  ?  But 
genius  and  talents  can  einbellini  any  fide  of  a  fubjeft, 
and  the  biographer  has  poured,  on  his  favourite  author, 
a  deluge  of  panegyric. 

The  life  of  Garrick  is  fo  much  interfperfed  with  the 
domfjlic  hiftory,  and  the  mod  iiluftriouis  perfons  of  his 
time,  tliat  will  highly  engage  and  gratify  your  curiofi- 
ty.      It  n  written  bj^  Davies  in  two  volumes. 

Engl.'.nd  has  long  laboured  with  a  difordcr,  that  I 
cannot  call  by  a  better  name,  than  the  theatrical  ma- 
7iia.  A  principal  adlor  is  more  diftingulfhcd,  cartfTed 
and  enriched  by  a  luxurious  nation,  than  mnny  of  the 
mod  deferving  pcrfons,  in  the  learned  profiflions.  An 
Abigdon,  si  hiddons,  and  a  Mara  (as  once  a  Garrick, 
a  Henderfon,  and  a  Yates)  inchant  the  feelings  of  a 
Britifli  audience,  drain  the  money  which  {hould  be  fa- 
cred  to  better  purpofes,  acquire,  in  a  few  years,  an 
independent  fortune,  and  are  admitted  to  the  lirft  cir- 
cles in  the  kingdom,  whilft  a  thoufand,  amiable  and 
meritorious  clergyman  are  fuiFered  to  live  In  want,  and 


YOUNG     LADY.  85 

to  die  in  the  mofl.  uncomforfaDle  obfcurity.  This  is 
not  a  very  favourable  trait  in  the  wort?/ liiftory  of  a 
nation.  Itfeems  rather  a  fymptom  of  its  approaching 
diflblution. 

Hume  was  a  great  champion  of  infidelity,  and  as 
fuch,  a  charader,  that  excites  uncommon  curiolity. 
He  has  written  his  own  life,  and,  as  an  unique  in  bio- 
graphy, it  is  worthy  your  reading. 

Bolingbroke  was  another  of  the  fcept'ical  family. 
His  hiftory  is  agreeably  recorded  by  Dr.  Goldfmith. 

On  the  fubje£^  of  biography,  you  will  meet  with  a 
great  variety  of  other,  entertaining  writers  ;  but  I  mull 
not  clofe  this  article,  without  particularly  recommend- 
ing a  book,  that  has  given  me  fo  much  pleafure  and 
information,  as  the  life  and  writings  of  Gray,  by  Mr. 
Mafon. 

A  particular  friendfhip  of  the  warmeft  and  moft  dif- 
intereiled  kind,  fubfifted  betv.-ixt  thefe  celtbrated  au- 
thors. It  commenced  in  that  early  period  of  life, 
when  fouls  are  incapable  of  guile  or  felfifhnefs,  and  mu- 
tually expand ;  and  Mafon  has  endeavoured  to  immor- 
talize it  In  a  manner,  which  does  equal  credit  to  his 
heart  and  underllanding. 

The  hiftory  of  a  retired,  literary  perfon  cannot, 
generally,  prefent  much  variety  of  entertainment.  But 
in  the  character  of  Gray,  there  is  fomewhat  very  inter' 
eft'ing  ;  and  his  friend  has  difplayed  it  to  the  greatell 
advantage.  No  man,  perhaps,  by  {uch /light  iketchesj 
as  the  author  of  an  Elegy  in  a  country  chuich-yaid 
has  left  bthind  him,  ever  acquired  fo  extenlivea  repu- 
tation. And  there  was  a  dignity,*  a  foftnefs  and  a  de- 
licacy in  his  ivhole  manner  of  thinking  and  ading, 
which  cojTjptnfate  for  the  want  of  more  remarkable 
anecdotes,  and  of  more  fouTidiug  connexions. 


86  L  E  T  T  E  R  S     T  O     A 

LET     T     E     R         LIV. 

MY     DEAR     LUCY, 

"  A  HERE  is  not  (fays  a  fenfible  writer,)  a  fon 
*'  or  daughter  of  Adam,  wlio  has  not  fome  concern 
**  in  the  knowledge  of  Geography."  It  is  neceflary 
to  your  underllanding  the  connexion,  which  this  globe 
has  with  the  other  planetary  fyllem,  and  with  all  the 
wonderful  works  of  God.  It  is  indifpenfible  to  your 
comprehending  hiftory,  or  having  a  proper  idea  of  the 
events  and  tranfadlions  it  relates,  as  well  as  to  diveft 
your  mind  of  little,  narrow  prejudices,  by  giving  you  a 
view  of  the  cufloms,  manners,  ceremonies  and  inftitu- 
tions  of  all  the  different  nations  over  the  world. 

A  celebrated  writer  *  has  called  geography  and 
chronology,  the  two  ^rj  of  hiftory  ;  the  firlt  inf(.rmsyou 
^here  events  happened,  and  the  latter,  at  what  parti- 
cular/^r/W;  if  it  was  not  for  thefe  helps,  your  reading 
would  be  a  confufed  chaos,  without  order,  light  or 
perfpicuity. 

Geography  is,  indeed,  fo  much  attended  to  at  all 
fchools,  that  there  is  little  occafion  to  dwell  on  its  ne- 
ceflity  ;  if  you  have  learned  the  ufe  of  the  globes,  and 
the  diviilon  of  it  by  names,  which  are  only  fancied  for 
the  fake  of  reducing  the  immenfity  of  it  to  the  narrow 
fcale  of  human  comprehenfiun,  the  bed  method,  I 
know,  13  never  to  read  the  name  of  a  place  in  a  com- 
mon news  paper,  or  any  other  hillory,  without  imme- 
diately recurring  to  authorities  for  the  fituation  and 
divifion  of  the  country  in  wliich  it  lies,  the  manners  of 
the  inhabitants,  their  ceremonies,  civil  government, 
and  religious  inlVitutions.  It  is  this  mode  of  ftudying 
from  the  urgency  of  the  occafjon,  which  gives  energy 
to  our  refearches  and  vigour  to  improvement. 

Guthrie  is  one  of  the  bed  authors  in  geography  ;  and 
for   chronology,    the   tables  of  Dr.  Prieftley  (a  name, 

*  Lord  Cheftci field. 


YOUNG     LADY.  87 

which  I  would  only  mention,  where  fc'ence  and  not 
religion.,  is  concerned,)  are  lo  compendious  and  cnm- 
prehenfive,  as  to  afford  you,  on  a  fiDgle  glance,  confi- 
derable  information.  Tliere  is  no  fpooics  ot  knowledge, 
that  is  fo  eafily  attained,  as  that  if  geography  ;  nor 
any  of  which  the  want  is  more  flagrant  and  awkward. 

1  lately  bluflied  for  a  young  ia<'y,  who  was  allced  In 
company,  the  latitude  and  fituallon  of  a  particular 
place,  which  happened  to  be  tnentlontd  in  the  public 
papers  of  the  day.  She  was  dreffcd  In  the  highefl.  tafle. 
The  rofesand  carnati>;ns  vied  in  her  countenance.  She 
piques  herfclf  on  her  fmavcncfs  and  vivaclty  ;  but  in  this 
inilance,  could  make  no  reply.  Her  cf;;bar  ajjvienthc- 
trayed  her  ignorance,  and  politemfs  relieved  it  by  a 
change  of  converfatlon. 

How  much  higher  would  her  charader  have  ftood  In 
the  ellimation  of  all  fcnfible  and  dlfcerning  men.  If  [he 
bad  come  down  flairs,  drcfTcd  in  an  elegant  plainnefs, 
and,  indead  of  (landing  fo  long  before  her  glafs,  had  de- 
Totcd  fome  little  fiiare  of  her  time  to  this  fpecies  of  im- 
provement. Not  that  I  have  any  objeftlon  to  a  bluih 
upon  a  woman's  cheek.  I  think  the  crimfon  tine  orna- 
mental ;  but  I  would  have  yours  to  be  the  blufh  of 
delicacy  and  referve^  not  of  ignorance,  Jhynefs  or  ill" 
hreeding. 

LETTER        LV. 

MV     DEAR     LUCY, 


N 


ATURAL  hi  (lory  Is  another  ftudy,  which  I 
conceive  to  be  pajticnlarly  feminine.  It  has  of  late, 
been  cultivated  with  uncommmon  attention.  Botany 
has  been,  particularly,  fafhionable.  It  has  found  a 
place  in  the  amufements  of  the  elfgant,  as  well  as  the 
learned.    Nothing  is  more  calculated  to  amufe  the  mind, 


88  LETTERSTOA 

improve  the  health  aifi  fpiilts,  and  to  iiifpire  at  once 
checrfulncfs  and  devotion. 

The  furprifing  hillory  of  plants  and  flowers,  the 
immenfe  variety,  the  mechanifm,  order,  government 
and  economy  of  animals,  fowls  with  their  plumage,  and 
fiflies  with  their  fcales,  foflils,  minerals,  petrifactions, 
mountains,  vallies,  volcanos,  all  nature  full  of  life,  full 
of  happlnefs  and  full  of  miracles,  will  crowd  your  mind 
with  the  fublimcft  images,  and  teach  you  to  adore  the 
great,  almighty  former  and  preferver  of  the  worlj. 
What  beauty  in  each  flower  !  What  traits  of  divine 
wifdom  and  goodnefs  in  an  infe£l !  Surveyed  with  a 
truly  philofophical  eye,  the  whole  creation  is  a  temple  ! 
Not  a  flirub,  but  is  eloquent,  not  an  animalcule,  but 
is  a  powerful  monitor  of  virtue  ! 

I   never  fpend   an  afternoon  with  Mifs  Louifa 

without  being  both  inftrufted  and  delighted.  I  never 
take  a  walk  with  her  in  the  garden,  but  flie  unfolds  a 
thoufand,  natural  curiofities,  which  had  hitherto 
cfcaped  my  unfcienced  or  inattentive  eyes.  I  never 
ramble  with  her  into  the  fields,  but  flie  gives  me  fuch 
an  hidory  of  the  moft  common  plants  and  flowers,  as 
at  once  furprifes  my  curiolity,  and  gratifies  my  tafte. 
In  her  clofec  fliehas  alarge  colltclion  of  infects,  which 
her  microfcope  clothes  with  moft  exqulfite  beauty,  and 
a  mufc^um,  filled  with  fliells,  coials,  and  petrcfad^ions, 
the  fparkling  of  which  is  excceiled  by  nothing,  but 
the  vivacity  of  her  eyes,  or  the  ftronger  or  more  perma- 
nent lufl:re  of  her  virtues. 

I  would  infinitely  rather  have  her  taflc,  than  her 
fortune.  And  I  never  quit  her  without  fecretly  envying 
her  enjoyments.  She  is  ever  fprlghtly,  becaufe  flic 
has  never  a  moment  uncriiployed.  She  always  fmitis, 
becaufe  flie  is  always  innocent.  Her  pleafures  are  of 
the  rational  and  refined  kind.  They  never  leave  a  thorn 
in  the  heart,  or  pluck  one,  blufhing  rofe  from  her 
cheeks.  How  folid  and  hov/  calm,  if  compared  with 
the  midnight  revels  of  fafhion,  or  the  glddinefs  of  ad- 
miration ! 

Be  like  Louifa,  my  dear  girl,  and  you  will  always  be 


Y  O  IT  N  G     I.  A  D  Y.  89 

happy.  Study  nature,  till  it  leads  you  up  to  nature's 
God.  Poie  on  plants  and  flowers,  till  they  perfume 
you  with  a  r-c'i?/ devotion  ;  and  I  will  engage  you  to 
hccoiiie,  in  your  turn,  one  of  the  mod  beautiful  flowers 
in  the  ertc.tion. 


LETTER         LVI. 


N 


ATUR.AL  hiftory  is  divided  into  three  grand 
parts,  as  it  refpects  the  anin^al,  the  mineral,  and  the 
vegetable  Kingdoms,  and  under  thefe  difTcrent  articles, 
afl"umes  the  name  of  zoology,  or  anhiilory  of  animals  ; 
Hthology,  or  a  defcription  of  Itones,  fofiils,  &c,  and 
botany,  or  an  accouut  of  herbs,  plants,  flowers.  Tbefe 
again  have,  each,  their  refpcftive -fubdivifions. 

Linnaeus,  who  was  born  at  Upfal,  is  the  great  father 
of  this  fclence,  and  from  t'le  Swedifli  fchooh  have 
iifued  the  works  of  the  mod  eniinent  mafters.  But 
he  is  too  voluminous  and  fcientific  for  a  female, 
who  wants  only  a  general  knowledge  of  nature,  and 
not  to  pcuf^tratc  the  miimtiae  of  her  plan. 

The  ^jmcenitates  Jcadem'tcce  are  a  number  of  inge- 
nious efTays  on  a  variety  of  fubjctts,  felecSted  from  the 
works  of  the  mod  capital  diiciples  of  the  Linnaeaa 
fchool.  Some  of  thefe  have  been  tranflated  by  Stil- 
lingfleet,  under  the  name  of  Tra6ts  on  Natural  Iiiftory, 
and  are  very  valuable  and  indru6tlve  ;  others  by  Brand, 
in  two  volumes,  which  conlain  a  number  of  very  curious 
and  entertaining  defcilptions. 

Puiteney's  View  of  the  Works  of  Linnaeus  you  may 
read,  Hkewife  with  great  pleafure  and  improvement. 
Next  to  thefe  I  fliould  recommend  to  a  mere  ^ngllfli 
reader,  the  works  of  Ray;  him,  who  wrote  "The 
wifdom  of  God  in  the  creation."  They  are  liighly  ufe- 
fu]  and  valuable,  though  written  before  this  fludy  had 
arrived  to  its  prefent  date  of  perfe6lion. 

Goldfnilth's  Hidory  of  the  Earth  and  animated  Na- 
ture is  but  a  mere  compilation.  Still  it  may  have  its 
ufe,  as  afl'ording  fome  CQllateral  lights  and  indrudlion. 


90  LETTERSTOA 

Euffon  is  an  author  of  firft  rate  abilities.  His  (lyle 
is  fplcndid  ;  his  knowledge  is  extcnfive,  and  his  elo- 
quence, in  a  high  degree,  brilliant  and  fcducing.  But 
1  cannot  recommend  him  for  many  rcafons.  He  is  too 
voluminous  ;  the  cxtenfivenefs  of  liis  plan  leads  him  into 
a  great  variety  of  detail,  and  of  ir.Ulicate  defctiptiona. 
He  is  more  attached  to  fyftems  of  hjs  own,  than  the 
difcovery  of  truth  ;  and  he  is  a  [ox\.ol  fcept'ic^  who  re- 
folves  every  thing  into  a  chain  oi  fecondary  caufes,  and 
facrih'gioujly  excludes  the  Deity  from  his  crtalion.  This 
temper  is  the,  ba7:e  of  modern  philofophers.  They  en- 
deavour to  account  for  ^c-'^r^'  thing  upon  ?/.7/«rrt/ princi- 
ples, and  wherever  they  r.re  puzzled,  ridiculoufly  dif- 
believe.  Inftead  of  making  their  knowledge,  a  fcaf- 
foldingto  God,  they  build  on  it.  a  monument  to  their 
own  vanity  and  folly,  which  will  not  ftand,  **  when 
winds  and  Piorms  arife."  Do  people  of  fuch  diftin- 
guifhed  abilicits  need  to  be  reminded,  that  a  world 
without  dcfjgn,  or  an  a(5live  machine,  without  a  firjiy 
moving  principle,  involves  the  greatefl  and  moil  pal- 
pable of  contradidions  ?  Nature,  in  the  hands  of  a 
true  philofopher,  reads  a  continued  lelTon  of  piety  ;  in 
thofe  of  a  falfe  one,  it  is  the  parent  of  fcepticifm, 
gloom  and  defpair.  Sir  Ifaac  Newton  was  the  mod 
pious  of  men  ;  many  of  his  humhls  followers  have  been 
as  impious  retailers  of  infidelity. 

Yo'j  will  derive  great  pleafure  r.nd  improvement  from 
all  the  writings  of  Mr.  Pennant,  and  they  are  numerous. 
Always  lively  and  always  authentic,  they  cnt':frtain  the 
man  of  tafte,  the  Tchoiar,  and  the  antiquarian,  as  well 
as  the  naturalift.  Few  perfons  have  publiOied  fo  much, 
in  any  one  department  of  fcience,  with  fo  great  fuccefs. 

The  Flora  Londinenfis  of  Curtis  is  a  fplendid  work, 
that  does  credit  lo  the  author.  It  is  embellifhed  with 
beautifiiVengravings  of  all  thecommon  plants  and  flowers 
of  this  country,   and  is  ftill  in  continuation. 

Volcanos  are  amongft  the  prodigies  of  nature,  which 
fill  the  mind  with  the  grandeft  and  fublimeft  images. 
Hamilton's  account  of  them,  and  Rafpe  on  the  vol- 
canos in  Germany,  will  aftonini  your  imagination.  You 
may  add  to  the  lill  Swammerdam's  Hillory  of  Infers, 
tranflated  by  Floyd,  and  revlfed  by  Dr.  Hill. 


YOUNGLADY.  9^ 

But  I  will  dcfift,  for  If  I  was  to  give  yon  only  the 
names  of  writers  on  the  fnbjeft,  they  would  fill  a  vo- 
lume. No  private  fortune  vvonld  be  fufficlent  to  pur- 
chafe  them,  and  the  peiufal  v/ould  require  more  time, 
than  would  confift  with  your  other,  various  engage- 
ments. 


LETTER         LVII. 


w 


HEN  you  have  viewed  the  wonders  of  nature 
in  viiniature.,  aftronomy  will  fliew  them  in  \\\t  fuhlime. 
Telefcopes  will  ])refent  you  with  a  mod  ftupendous  view 
of  the  heavens  ;  funs,  piled  on  funs ;  worlds,  on  worlds; 
and  the  i^reat  creator,  prefiding  over  all,  in  the  majefty 
of  pcrfedion.  You  will  be  loft  and  ahforhed  in  the 
magnificent  contemplation.  You  will  feel  yourfelf  as 
nothing  before  God,   and  confefs  him  to  be  all  in  all. 

A  real  altronomer  muft  be/'/owj,  or  infenfible.  How- 
ever fome  have  thoui^ht  revr/a li ok  pnrt'ia],  the  language 
of  tliefe  orbs  is  certainly  unherfa/.  **  Their  found  is 
**  gone  out  into  all  lands,  and  their  words  unto  the  ends 
**  of  the  v/orld."  The  fentimcnt  they  proclaim,  is 
majefty  to  God  ;  to  man,  humility,  felf-abafement, 
devotion. 

Nicholfon's  Introduftion  to  Natural  Philofophy,  in 
two  volumes,  o6lavo,  is  an  excellent  book  upon  this 
fuhjcdt,  and  Derham's  A  ftro-theology  muft  elevate  the 
mind,  and  improve  the  heart  of  every  reader.  Gre- 
gory's Aftronomy,  and  Huygen's  Celeftial  Worlds 
difcovered,  are  very  ufeful  and  entertaining,  and  may 
together  form  a  fnfficient  library  for  this  department  of 
fcience.  Perhaps  I  ftiould  have  added  Ray's  Wifdom 
of  God  in  the  Creation.  They,  who  declaim  againft 
knowledge,  in  a  woman,  have  not  furely  confidered 
how  much  //;/j,  and  many,  other  branches  of  it  arc 
connefted  with  all  the  fublime  and  pious  affedlons. 


92  L  E  T  T  E  R  S     T  O     A 

LETTER        LVlir. 

JL  OET  R  Y,  I  do  not  wi'fli  you  to  cultivate,  further 
than  to  pofT.^fs  a  reliJJ-j  for  its  beauties.  Verfes,  If  not 
excellent,  are  execrable  indeed.  The  mnfes  live  upon 
a  .'-lount,  and  there  Is  no  enjoying  any  of  their  favours, 
Unltrs  you  can  climb  to  the  heights  of  ParnafTus. 

Befides  a  paflion  for  poetry  is  dangerous  to  a  woman. 
It  heightens  her  natural  fenfibillty  to  an  extravagant 
degree,  and  frequently  Infpires  fuch  a  romantic  turii  of 
mind,  as  is  utterly  Inconfillent  with  the  folid  duties  and 
proprieties  of  life. 

To  increafe  the  number  of  hnaginaryt  when  life  a- 
bounJs  with  f;:ch  r:"?/ forrowe,  by  nrnfing  a  fickly  ex- 
travagant fcnfi!)iiity,  U,  in  a  rational  creature,  the  very- 
height  of  impniJerjce.  The  ancients  endeavoured  to 
cherifli  fortitude,  and  refolution,  by  giving  flrength  to 
the  body  and  vigour  to  the  mind.  From  fome  of  their 
ftates,  poetry,  amongd  other  things,  was  abfolutely 
excluded^  as  tending  to  enervate  the  minds  of  a  people, 
and  unfit  them  for  the  ftruggles  and  afiivltles  of  life  ; 
and  it  is  certain  that  the  owners  of  an  exquifite  fenfibi- 
llty, for  a  few  inomeyits  of  pleafure,  have  days  of  vexa- 
tion. Ill  this  human  wildernefs,  thorns  arc  perennials. 
Rofes  are  but  \\\it  p?riflmhk  orn^iments  of  fummer. 

The  late  Mr.  Shenftone,  amongft  many  others,  Is  an 
unhappy  inllance  of  the  misfortune  I  have  mentioned. 
His  works,  though  not  of  the  Jirji  magnitude,  are  ex- 
ceedingly agreeable  ;  but  his  poetical  enihufiafm  was  a 
fource  of  perpetual  Irritation  and  misfortune.  Having 
cultivated  his  taPce,  more  than  his  prudence,  his  feelings, 
more  than  his  fortitude,  and  his  imagination,  more 
than  his  judgment,  his  life  was  one,  unvaried  train  of 
inquietudes.  His  mind  was  ruffled  with  i??iag}nary  In- 
juries ;  his  peace  diituibed  with  fanciful  affronts,  and 
his  difordered  finances  left  him  every  thing,  but  com- 
fort, dignity,  and  independence. 

With  a  fortune,  that  only  juftlfied  a  neat  ^}^A  homely 
dwelling,  his  genius  was  not  content  with  lefs  than  the 


Y  O  U  N  G    L  A  D  Y.  93 

/upcrb  appendages  of  a  palace.  In  forming  the  Leafe' 
fiives,  he  facrliked  to  enthufiafm,  what  he  owed  to  con- 
tentment. He  panltd  for  a  paradifet  and  a  paradlfc  he 
had  ;  but  it  foun  became  a  wihicruefs  of  thorns.  Mer- 
cilefs  creditors  had  no  candour  for  ihe  poet,  and  made 
no  allowance  for  the  exquifitenefs  of  his  t-ifte. 

They  faw  no  charms  in  fhrubs,  in  blofToms,  or  ia 
profpe6ts,  and  they  awoke  him  with  an  iron  grafp  from 
his  delicious  intrancement.  Whilll  a  noble  neighbour, 
emulating  and  outvying,  on  a  larger  fcale,  the  beauties 
of  his  elyfium,  or  exhibiting  it  to  a  (banger,  from  an 
unfavourable  point  of  view,  inflld^ed  on  his  lickly  feel- 
ings, an  heart-feh  afflidtion,  which  he  had  neither  the 
poflibility  cf  avoiding,  nor  the  phiiofophy  to  fupport. 


LETTER        LIX. 


T 


HOUGH  I  do  not  wifh  you  to  become  a  poet, 
it  is,  however,  necelTary,  that  you  fhould  not  be  wholly 
unacquainted  with  the  writings  of  many,  inimitable 
bards.  They  will  certainly  refine  your  tafte,  and 
fpread  a  very  elegant  repaft  for  your  private  amufement. 

Shakefpeare  Is,  perhaps  ihc  fir'l:  genius  of  the  world  ; 
and  fome  of  his  dramatic  works,  whilfl  they  aftonifh, 
will  give  you  an  ufeful  fund  of  hiftorical  information. 

The  immortal  poem  of  Paradife  Loft  fhould  not  only 
be  in  the  hands,  but  graven  on  ihe  heart,  of  every  wo- 
man, becaufe  Milton,  above  all  other  authors,  defcribeg 
the  diftlnguifhing  graces  of  the  fex,  and  in  his  Eve,  has 
exhibited  an  exquillte  pattern  of  female  perfeAion.  On 
//;/■/  fubjeft,  his  feelings  were  always  awakened  in  an 
extraordinary  manner;  his  imagination  glowed,  and 
he  has  given  it  the  fineft  touches  of  his  pencil. 

Milton,  like  all  great  men,  was  fully  fenfible  of  the 
bleflings  we  derive  from  the  foclety  of  women,  and  how 
cheerlefi  the  face  of  nature  wo\ild  have  been  without 
them  He,  therefore,  labours  to  make  the  mother  of 
his  Paradife  every  thing  that  could  charm,  and  every 
thing  that  could  alleviate  the   infelicities  of  life.     Let 


94  LETTERSTOA 

the  libertine  read  Ihs  defcription  of  nurti  >';':(.',  and  ttU 
me  what  hf  thinks  of  ttie  prtvailiwg  r.ige  for  Jrnpurlty 
and  fc(imftlon 

Homer  is  unlvciTally  celebrated  ;  and,  though  you 
cannot  read  his  poem  in  the  original  'arguage,  Pope 
has  given  an  adnilra!)le  tranflation.  The  fame  may  be 
fald  of  Dryden's  Virgil,  if  you  wifh,  to  talte  the  tx- 
quifKe  rlchnefs  of  thefe  ancient  aiithois. 

Mafcn*s  poems  havt  great  merit,  and  have  acquired 
him  confiderable  celebrity.  His  Cataftacus,  his  El- 
frida,  and  his  Englifh  Garden  have  all  been  admired. 
Nothing,  however,  from  his  pen,  has  pkafed  me  more, 
than  the  epitaph  upon  his  I'ady.  His  talents  fccm  to 
be  particularly  formed  for  the  penfive  and  pathetic.  But 
poetry,  after  all,  is  but  an  evihcllijhjjient^  and,  in  the 
chara<i\er  of  a  divine,  a  very  fecondary  diltindlion. 
How  much  more  important  and  ufeful  to  mankind,  are 
th;  'Ebours  of  that  paftor,  who,  by  one  judicious,  im- 
pafijonsd  and  well  directed  difcourfe,  appals  the  finner, 
encourages  the  faint,  revives  the  drooping,  guides 
the  perplexed,  or  condefcends  to  cheer  the  bed  of  fick- 
nefs  with  divine  confolations  1 

This  remark,  however,  is  not  particularly  intended 
to  depredate  the  ingenious  author  of  Cara6lacus.  He 
is  fald  to  excel  likewife,  as  a  preacher. 


LETTER        LX. 


I 


N  Poetry,  the  ladies  have,  of  late,  afTerted  their 
claim  to  genius,  and  the  trampled  honours  of  their 
undcrltanding.  Several  of  them  appear,  in  the  walks 
of  Parnaffus,  with  confiderable  luftre. 

Mifs  Seward,  in  my  idea,  is  a  ftar  of  the  firft  mag- 
nitude in  the  hcmifphere  of  Imagination.  She  has  given 
us  chiefly  little,  fugitive  pieces  ;  a  monody  on  the  death 
of  captain  Cook,  and  major  Andre  ;  a  poem  to  the 
memory  of  lady  Miller,  and  a  few  ftanzas  to  Mr. 
Wright,  on  taking  her  father's  picture.  The  laft  al- 
ways gave  me  the  higheft  pleafure.     It  required  indeca 


YOUNGLADY.  95 

no  great  effort,  !)ut  is  a  mod  pleafing  fpcclmen  of  filial 
afFe^lIon,  and  of  a  rich,  fervid,  glowing  imagination. 
Her  Louifa,  though  her  largeil,  Is  not,  in  my  idea, 
her  happiej]  performance.  A  novd  is  too  much  digni- 
fied by  t!ie  charms  of  poetry.  It  is  a  courtcfaii,  dref- 
fed  like  a  quoen. 

Whenever  Mifs  Hannah  More  takes  up  her  pen,  fhe 
never  lofes  figl-t  of  pitty  and  viriue.  Her  Bleeding 
Rock,  Search  after  happiiicfs.  Sir  Eldred  of  the  Bower, 
Sacred  Dramas,  Female  Fables,  Sec.  will  pleafe  and 
inftrucl:  you.  The  little  trad,  lately  publifhtd,  iniiiled, 
"  Thoughts  on  the  Manners  of  the  Great,"  which 
has  had  fo  very  extenfive  a  cIrc\ilation,  is  faid  to  have 
come  from  her  Ingenious  pen.  The  defign  is  excellent, 
and  the  e::ecutloii  difplays  a  confiderable  knowledge  of 
human  life  and  manners.  I  wifh  it  may  leave  fome  lad- 
ing impieflions.  But  alas !  the  diflipated  have  few  in- 
tervals for  reflexion. 

Mifs  Williams  bids  fair  for  a  poetic  laurel,  that 
fhall  loiig  be  green.  Her  Peru  is  a  work  of  confider- 
able merit. 

The  little  fonnets  of  Mifs  Charlotte  Smith  are  foft, 
penfive,  fentlmental  and  patlietlc,  as  a  woman's  pro- 
dudions  fliould  be.  The  mufes,  if  I  miftake  not,  will, 
in  time,  raife  her  to  a  confiderable  eminence.  She  has, 
as  yet ^i  ftepped  forth  only  in  little  things,  with  a  diffi-. 
dence  that  is  charadleviitic  of  real  genius  In  il^  firjl  at- 
tempts. Her  next,  public  CiUre  may  be  more  in  ftyle, 
and  more  confcquential. 

The  Comtcfle  le  Gcnlis  I  have  before  mentioned,  as  a 
woman  of  a  fine  talte,  and  a  cultivated  underftandlng. 
Her  Theatre  fur  I*  Education^  as  fourided  on  a  draffiatic 
plan,  may  be  recommended  amongll  other  poetical  pro- 
duf^ions.  There  is  not  a  fweeter  rofe  in  the  garden  of 
naturci  than  hers  of  Salency. 

Lord  Lyttleton  was  not,  by  any  means,  a  capital 
poet.  There  i?5,  however,  fuch  a  delicacy,  foftnefs, 
piety,  and  tender  pathos  in  his  llrains,  as  do  the  hlghell 
credit  to  his  oivn  heart,  and  improve  that  of  every  at- 
tentive reader.  His  monody  upon  his  Lucy  has  immor- 
talized his  fenfibility,  his  afieAIon,  and  his  virtue. 

Akenfide'i   work   on   the  Pleafurcs  of  Imagination, 


96  LETTERSTOA 

needs  no  other  recoinmendacion,  than  what  it  has  re- 
ceived from  a  gjntrous  .i.i  a  difceining  })ul)lic.  It  is 
higlily  intereftii.g  ;  it  required  a  very  confidcriible  ef- 
fort, and  his  genius  has  rendered  it  beautifully  pidlu^ 
refqne. 

Cowper's  poerr.s  are  calculated  to  do  confidcrable  fer- 
▼ice.  He  has  made  the  mules  hand-maids  to  religion. 
He  has  chofen  verfcs,  only  as  a  vehicle  for  conveying 
inftruflions  of  fo  important  a  naiure,  as  would  not,  by 
any  means,  have  difhonourtd  the  pulpit.  His  ftyle  is 
firaple,  bold,  manly,  fpiritcd,  and  energetic;  his  judg- 
ment, llrong  and  penetrating  ;  his  metaphors,  forcible 
and  happily  conceived  :  his  obfervations  on  life  and 
manners,   accurate,  and  his  faiire,  juft  and  poignant. 

He  does  net  fetm  fo  much  to  have  ftudled  the  produc- 
tion of  a  poem,  with  unity  for  its  defign,  and  harmony 
in  all  its  parts,  as  to  ferve  the  caufe  of  piety  and  virtue 
by  general,  defuUory  and  impalfioned  reflexions.  His 
work  on  the  whole,  is  a  ilrong  fpecimen  of  genius  and 
talents;  rigid  criticlfm,  perhaps,  would  fay,  that  his 
piety  wants  a  little  mildnefs,  and  feems  to  breathe  the 
Ipirit  of  a  party. 

But  the  mod  finlfhed  poet  of  the  age  is  Hayley.  His 
Effay  on  Hiftory  and  on  Epic  Poetry,  his  Ode  to 
Howard,  and  his  Triumphs  of  Temper  have  received 
▼cry  great  and  very  general  applaufe. 


•.<-<-<-«S><S><S»">->">" 

LETTER        LXI. 


Y 


OUR  queflion  is  a  very  proper  one,  and  I  will  give 
you  the  bed  fatisfaftion  in  my  power. 

Pronunciation  or  that  part  of  grammar,  called  Ortho- 
epy,  as  to  any  uncommon  or  difficult  words,  is  governed 
by  the  quantity,  which  thofc  words  have  in  the  original 
language,  from  which  they  are  derived.  As  you  can- 
rot  be  fuppofed  to  underftand  the  dead  languages,  you 
will  of  courfe,  frequently,  be  at  a  lofs  how  to  pro- 
nounce many  words  with  propriety.  The  only  method 
is  rccourfe  to  a  didionary,  and  the  befl  in  my  opinion, 


Y  O  U  N  G    I.  A  D  Y.  97 

arc  thofe  of  Sheridan  and  Johnfon.  Pronunciation, 
however,  Is  a  very  fluctuating  thing  ;  and  though  there 
certainly  is  a  ftandard  of  propriety,  over  which  mere 
fafhion  ott^ht  to  have  no  power,  yet,  I  fliould  always 
recommend  a  conformity  to  the  manner  of  the  politeft 
people  you  may  happen  to  converfe  with,  rather  than 
a  pedantic  aff'edation  of  grammatical  ftrldnefs.  The 
latter  would  be  thought  a  conceited  odentation  of 
knowledge,  which,  in  a  young  lady,  would  not  be  for- 
given. 

The  alliifions  to  Jupiter,  Pallas,  Venus,  the  Grace?, 
the  Mufes,  Helicon,  ParnafTus,  which  have  fo  much 
puzzled  you  In  the  poets  you  have  lately  read,  will  be 
fully  explained  in  Tooke's  Pantheon,  or  Hift  jry  of  the 
Heathen  Gods.  The  general  faA  is,  that  before  the 
knowledge  of  the  true  God  dawned  on  their  minds, 
thefe  poor,  Ignorant  heathens  never  dreamed  of  or,* 
omnipotent,  all  fufiicient,  all  pervading  fpirit,  which 
the  fcriptures  have  revealed,  and  defcribed,  as  poflcffcd 
of  all  poflible  perfe6lions.  They,  therefore,  formed 
to  themfelves  a  multiplicity  of  gods,  and  attributed  to 
one  of  them  in  particular,  with  a  fpecific  name,  every 
great  quality  or  fuperior  excellence,  that  appeared  be- 
yond the  ability  of  ?nortals,  Thefe  deities  they  ar- 
ranged into  different  clafl'es,  according  to  their  Aippofed 
degrees  of  pre-eminence  ;  and  fancied  fome  of  them  to 
inhabit  the  heavens,  and  others,  the  woods,  groves, 
rivers,  fprings,  mountains,  &c. 

You  will  be  amufed  with  their  fanciful  opinions  ;  and 
if  you  think  aright,  you  will  learn  to  blefs  the  Al- 
mighty, on  your  knees,  for  having  C2i{\.  your  lot  in  an 
age  and  country,  where  the  gofpel  has  difperfed  thefe 
mills  and  errors,  dignified  our  views,  and  nature  beyond 
all  expreflion,  and  given  us  the  cleared  knowledge  of 
our  duty.  You  will  feel  the  force  and  propriety  of  that 
claufe  in  our  liturgy,  "  We  blefs  thee  for  our  creation, 
**  prefervatlon,  and  all  the  bleflings  of  this  life  ;  but 
**  above  all,  for  thine  ineftimable  love  in  the  redemption 
**  of  the  world  by  our  Lord  Jefus  Chrift,  for  the  means 
**  of  grace,  and  for  the  hope  of  glory." 

Vol.  L  F 


9»  LETTERSTOA 


LETTER        LXII. 

MY    DEAR    LUCY, 


A 


LITTLE  tafte  for  the  fine  arts  of  painting, 
fci^lpture,  architedure,  will  be  of  fingular  ufe.  It 
will  render  every  excurfion  you  make,  and  every  curio- 
fity  you  behold,  exceedingly  delightful,  and  enable  you 
to  bifcome  entertaining  to  all,  with  whom  you  converfe. 

A  perfon  thus  accomplifhed,  furveys  an  elegant  pile 
of  building,  the  defigns  of  a  Palladio,  the  landfcapes 
of  a  Claude  Lorrain,  the  portraits  of  a  Titian,  or  the 
transfiguration  of  a  Raphael,  with  uncommon  rapture, 
and  can  entertain  Uerfelf,  for  hoursy  with  a  ruin  or  a 
caftle,  in  which  the  unflcilful  can  fee  nothing  but  de- 
formity, or  the  corrofions  of  time. 

Writers  on  Sculpture  and  Architc6lure  are  not  nu- 
merous, and  I  am  wading  beyond  my  depth,  when  I 
attempt  to  recommend  them.  Winkleman's  reflexions 
on  the  fculpture  of  the  Greeks,  Evelyn's  Parallel  of 
ancient  and  modern  Architecture,  and  Morris's  Lec- 
tures may  give  yowfows  ideas  on  the  fubjed. 

On  the  art  of  painting,  more  has  been  written  ;  yet 
v»'Ithout  a  natural  genius  for  It,  and  fome  previous  In- 
ftru£lions  from  a  jnajicr,  I  do  not  know,  whether  you 
will  be  able  to  make  any  great  proficiency. 

Webb's  Inquiry  Into  the  Beauties  of  Painting  Is  a 
very  learned,  elegant.  Ingenious  work,  and  iuterefting, 
in  an  high  degree,  even  to  thofe,  who  are,  by  no  means, 
to  be  ranked  amongft  the  cogriofcenti.  The  quotations 
from  Homer,  Virgil,  Shakefpeare,  Milton,  Boileau, 
Mollere,  Racine,  Taflb,  Arlofto,  Meteflafio  are  not 
only  well  contrived  to  illuflrate  the  fubje6^,  but  to  de- 
light every  perfon  of  reading  and  tafte  ;  whilft  the 
pidurefque  Imagery  and  fplendid  language  would  {lamp 
a  value  on  any  proJudion. 


Y  O  U  N  G     L  A  D  Y.  ^^ 

I  remember  to  have  been  charmed,  fome  years  ago, 
with  reading  a  fmall  work,  intltled  an  "  EfTay  on  Prints 
«  and  PIdurefque  Beauty.'*  1  do  not  recollctl,  whe- 
ther it  bore  the  name  of  any  author  ;  but  it  ftruck  me 
as  a  very  Interefting  and  valuable  performance.  Genius 
and  knowledge  were  wonderfully  united,  and  embellilh- 
ed  the  whole. 

Fergufon's  Art  of  Drawing  in  Perfpe6llve,  I  con- 
ceive to  be  ufeful,  as  an  elementary  work.  An  EfTay 
on  Landfcape  may  be  confidered  in  the  fame  light  ; 
and  you  will  be  ln(lru<fled  and  delighted,  at  the  lame 
time,  with  Playley's  two  epiftlcs  to  Romney,  and 
Frefnoy's  Art  of  Painting,  tranflated  by  Mafon.  This 
laft  mentioned  author  is  faid  to  excel  in  the  three  fifter 
arts  of  painting,  poetry  and  mufic.  In  the  two  firll, 
he  has  given  the  ivorld  fpeclmenaof  his  ficlll  ;  with  the 
latter  he  is  fald  frequently  to  entertain  the  circle  of  his 
private  friends. 

But  the  bed  place  for  gratifying  your  curiofity,  and 
I  fliould  think,  for  Improving  your  tafte  In  paintlngs,^ 
is  the  annual  exhibition  of  them,  at  Somerfet-houfe, 
The  metropolis,  amidll  all  Its  variety  of  invention, 
does  not  furnlfli  in  my  idea,  a  more  elegant,  or  a  more 
improving  amufement.  We  fee  with  pride,  fome  artifls 
of  our  own  country,  vying  with  the  molt  celebrated 
mafters  of  antiquity.  Under  the  hands  of  a  Reynolds, 
a  Wright,  a  Weft,  and  many  others,  the  Englifh  can- 
vas glows  with  inimitable  beauty.  A  Raphael,  a  Ti- 
tian, a  Correggio,  a  Rubens,  a  Pouflin,  or  a  Salvator 
Rofa  feem,  in  fome  degree,  tranfpianted  to  the  Bri- 
ti(h  ifte. 

A  ftranger,  indeed  is,  at  firfl.  fight,  fo  much  dazzled, 
with  the  fplendour  and  elegance  of  the  company,  about 
him,  that,  in  the  chaims  of  //i;/V;^  beauty,  he  is  tempt- 
ed to  overlook  the  efforts  of  the  pencil.  In  no  other 
place,  that  I  ever  faw  or  recolleded,  do  art  and  nature 
fo  powerfully  combine  to  bewitch  the  fenfes,  and  cap- 
tivate the  imagination. 

If  my  time  and  place  of  refidence  were  at  my  own 
command,  1  fhould  frequently  in  the  feafon,  devote  to 
this  pleafure,  one  of  thufe  languid,  afternoon  hours, 
when  the  fpirlts  are  exhaufttd  v\ith  the  employments  of 

F2 


io»  L  E  T  T  E  R  S     T  O    A 

the  morning,   and  want  renewed  vigour,  elaftlclty  and 
animation. 

I  am  much  interefted,  believe  me,  in  the  reh'fh  I 
would  give  you  for  this  fpecies  of  improvement.  I 
look  forward,  with  a  degree  of  pleafiire,  to  the  time, 
when  I  may  be  the  companion  of  your  little  tours,  and 
delighted  v.ith  your  obfervations  ;  when  we  may  hang 
in  curiofity,  over  fofiils  and  petrefaftions  ;  when  wc 
fhall  pore  over  paintings,  buildings,  ruins,  with  all  the 
luxury  of  artifts,  and  in  fuch  rational,  innocent  plca- 
fures  endeavour  to  forget  the  forrows,  that  will  crowd 
on  this  variegated  Wit. 


LETTER         LXIII. 


I 


T  is  fo  very  agreeable  to  perufe  voyages  and  travels 
inio/oreign  countries  by  way  of  coming  eafily  at  a  know- 
ledge of  their  hiftory,  cuftoms,  ceremonies  and  degrees 
of  civilization,  that  I  do  not  wonder  at  the  number 
and  multiplicity  of  thefe  produftlons.  Authors  wifli 
to  be  ready  and  this  is  the  fort  of  work,  which  if  ju- 
dicioufly  executed,  fuit?  every  tafle.  It  has  a  tenden- 
cy to  enlarge  the  mind,  and  diveft  it  of  illiberal  preju- 
dices. Books  of  this  kind  are  now  become  fo  numerous, 
that  the  difficulty  only  is,  how  to  make  the  feleftlon. 

I  will  begin  with  Moore,  for  he  has  pleafed  univer- 
fally.  Your  colledlon  will  be  graced  by  his  View  of 
Society  and  Manners  in  France,  Switzerland,  and 
Germany,  in  two  volumes,  and  his  View  of  Society 
in  Italy,  in  two  more. 

Wraxall  is  another  writer  in  this  way,  who  has  fupe- 
rior  merit.  He  has  publifhed  a  tour  through  the 
northern  parts  of  Europe,  and  through  France. 

Pennant  has  been  fingularly  happy  in  all  his  attempts. 
He  interefts  the  antiquarian,  the  fcholar  and  the  man 
of  genius  in  his  various  produflions.  His  works  arc 
numerous.  A  Tour  through  Scotland,  Voyages  to  the 
Hebrides,  a  Tour  in  North  Wales ;  a  Journey  to 
Snowdon  ;  and  Journey  from  Chefter  to  London,  &c. 


Y  O  U  N  G    L  A  D  V.  loi 

Switzerland  is  one  of  thofe,  romayitic  countries,  that 
delights  us  in  idea.  Coxe  has  given  Hvetches  of  it,  in 
a  very  plcafing  and  pIdurcTque  manner. 

Sherlock's  Engllrti  Traveller  is  a  very  original  and 
entertaining  book.  The  author  is  evidently  a  man  of 
fancy  and  genius,  but  rather  fulfomc  in  his  panegyrics 
on  particular  charafters,  and  exccnirlc  both  in  his  fenti- 
ments  and  manner.  He  will,  fometimes,  make  you 
fmilc  with  egotifm  and  the  appearance  of  conceit  ;  but 
he  will  likewife  enlighten  your  undcrllandlng. 

Cordiner'a  Antiquities  and  Scenery  of  the  North  of 
Scotland  is  an  entertaining  work.  The  plates  annexed 
to  it,  pleafe  the  eye,  and  invigorate  the  imagination. 

A  tour  to  the  lakes  is  become  very  fartuonable,  and 
Is  faid  abundantly  to  repay  the  travellers  curiofity. 
Weft's  defcrlption  of  them  may  be  ufeful,  though  the 
language  appears  too  florid  and  poetical. 

The  Tour  to  Ermenonvllle  I  have  never  r<ei»  ;  bi.t 
it  is  mentioned  as  poflefliiig  confiderable  merit.  Gil- 
pin's Defcription  of  the  River  Wye  abounds  with  beau- 
tiful fcenery,  and  is  a  mofl  lively  and  entertaining  pro- 
dutllon. 

But  the  catalogue  would  be  endleff^.  A  thoufand, 
other  books  of  this  kind,  aie  at  hand,  vvhenever  you 
are  dlfpofed  to  travel  with  them  in  your  clofet. 

If  you  have  a  little  knowledge  of  Heraldry,  it  will 
be  an  eDihellijhnient ;  an  agreeable  exerclfe  of  your  ta(le 
and  Ingenuity,  and  may,  occafionaily,  fuggell  a  chan- 
nel, through  which  you  may  ferve  a  valuable  friend. 
The  only  books  I  recolleft,  are  the  Elements  of  It, 
by  Porncy  ;  Gwillim,  a  large  folio,  and  Edmonfon's 
Complete  Body  of  It,  in  two  volumes. 

But  after  all  this  recommendation  of  different  ftudics, 
do  not  miftake  me.  I  do  not  want  to  make  you  a  fine 
writer,  an  hlftorian,  a  naturalill,  a  geographer,  an 
aftronomer,  a  poet,  a  painter,  a  connoIfTeur,  or  »vlr- 
tuofo,  of  any  kind.  But  I  would  have  you  to  pofTefs 
fuch  2^  general  knowledge,  as  will  ufefully  and  Innocent- 
ly fill  up  your  leifure  hours,  ralfe  your  tafte  above  fan- 
taftic  levitiej,  render  you  an  agreeable  friend  and  ac- 
quaintance,   qualify  you    for   the   folld  duties  of  your 

F3 


102  LETTERS     TO     A 

ftation,  whatever  they  may  be,  and  elevate,  above  all, 
your  foul  to  him,  who  is  the  fource  of  all  knowledge, 
greatnefs  and  pcrfeftion. 


LETTER         LXIV. 


T 


HE  accomplifliments  of  a  woman  may  be  com- 
prized under  fome,  or  all  of  the  follovn'ng  articles  ; 
needle-work,  embroidery,  &c.  drawing,  mufic,  danc- 
incr,  drefs,   politenefs,   kc. 

To  wield  the  needle  with  advantage,  fo  as  to  unite 
lie  ufeful  and  beautiful,  is  her /'^r//V?</i7r  province,  and 
a  lort  of  ingenuity,  which  (hews  her  in  the  mod  ami- 
able and  attradling  point  of  view.  Solomon  dtfcribes 
his  excellent  daughter,  as  employed  in  the  labours  of 
the  diftafF,  or  the  needle.  Homer  paints  his  lovely 
matrons  as  engaged  in  fuch  domeftic  avocations.  An- 
dromache is  thus  relieving  her  folitude,  when  flie  is 
furprifed  into  tranfport,  by  the  unexpedted  return  of 
Iltdor  from  the  war. 

The  heart  glows  with  pleafure,  when  we  read  the 
accounts  of  the  good  Roman  matrons  in  the  purer  and 
unvitiated  ages  of  their  republic.  The  greatcft  men, 
princes,  warriors,  fenators  and  philofophers  were  cloth- 
ed in  the  labours  of  their  wives  and  daughters.  Indu- 
ftry  in  this  happy  period,  was  efteemed  a  virtue,  and 
it  was  not  beneath  a  woman  of  the  firft  quality  or  un- 
derftanding  to  be  an  excellent  oeconomift,  who,  "  look- 
<*  ed  well  to  the  ways  of  her  houfehold." 

Employment  is  the  grand  prefervatlvc  of  health  and 
innocence.  When  we  have  nothing  to  do,  we  imme- 
diately become  a  hurden  toourfelves;  the  mind  and 
body  languifh  for  want  of  exercife,  and  we  fall  into  a 
thoufand  dangerous  temptations. 


Y  O  U  N  G     L  A  D  Y.  103 


LETTER        LXV. 


I 


F  you  have  any  natural  tafte  for  drawing,  I  fliould 
\vl(h  you  to  Indulge  It.  I  think  it  an  accompllfliment, 
very  well  adapted  both  to  the  tafte  and  delicacy  of  your 
fcx.  It  will  agreeably  exercife  your  ingenuity  and  in- 
vention. It  will  teach  you  to  difcover  a  fuperlor  finlfli 
in  all  the  varied  landfcapes  and  fcenery  of  nature  ;  to 
furvey  the  works  of  our  dlllinguidied  maflers,  with  an 
higher  relldi  and  a  more  poignant  curlofity  ;  and  It  will 
heighten  all  the  Innocent  pleafures  of  your  retirement. 
When  nature  howls  with  winds,  or  is  covered  with 
fnow,  you  will  be  able  in  a  moment,  to  call  a  fancy 
Spring  upon  the  canvas,  of  which  the  blofToms  will  be 
ever  fragrant,  and  the  trees  ever  green.  You  may  thus 
have  birds,  always  on  the  fpray,  and  larks,  apparently 
thrilling  out  praife  to  their  bountiful  Creator. 


LETTER        LXVI. 


M 


USIC,  by  which  I  mean  ])laying  on  an  Inftru- 
ment,  or  occajionally  finging,  is  a  very  defirable  acqul- 
fition  in  any  woman,  who  ha^  time  and  money  enough 
to  devote  to  the  purpofe,  for  it  requires  no  Inconfidcr- 
able  portion  of  both.  It  will  enable  you  to  enteitain 
your  friends  ;  to  confer  pleafure  upon  others.,  mutt  in- 
creafe  your  oimi  happinefs,  and  It  will  infpire  tranquil- 
ity, and  harmonize  your  mind  and  fpirits,  in  many  of 
thofe  ruffled  or  lo7icly  hours,  which,  in  almoll  every 
fituation,  will  be  your  lot. 

The  pafTions  of  mankind,  however,  have  very  much 
debafed  and  profaned  this  art,  which,  like  others,  was 
originally  facred,  and  intended  to  chant  the  pralfes  of 
the  Almighty.  Many  fongs  are  couched  in  fucii  IndC' 
licate  language,  and  convey  fuch  a  train  of  lufchus 
ideas,  as  are  only  calculated  to  foil  the  purity  0/  a 
youthful  mind.  1  fliould  therefore  recommend,  (if  I 
Y  A. 


!04  LETTERS     TO     A 

may  fo  exprefs  myfelf,)  rather  the //^rr^'^,  than  ihe  pre- 
fatie^  of  this  (ludy.  Indeed  church  mufic  is,  in  ilfelf, 
more  delightful,  than  any  other.  What  can  be  fupe- 
rior  to  fome  pafTages  of  Judas  Maccabaeus,  or  the 
Mcfllah  ?  There  is  not,  perhaps,  an  hi^rher  amongft  the 
w^/c/z/c/c/)' plea  lures,  than  a  funeral  dirge. 

Dancing,  \\\  a  degree,  is  profefledly  an  eflential  part 
of  a  good  education,  as  corrccfling  any  avjkivarJnefs  of 
j;eflure,  giving  an  eafy  and ^^r^ir<?/«/ motion  to  the  body, 
and  if  praclifed  carlj^  perhaps  even  in  direti'nig  it» 
^-rowth.  Modern  manners,  however,  have  carried  the 
fondnefs  for  this  accomplifhment  to  an  immoJeiate  ex- 
treme. A  paflion  for  making  the  bed  figure  in  a  minuet, 
is  valily  beneath  the  dignity  of  a  woman's  underftand- 
ing.  And  I  am  not  fure,  whether  excelling  in  this  par- 
ticular does  not  infpire  too  great  a  fondnefs  for  diflipa- 
ting  pleafures,  and  proportionably  abate  the  ardour  for 
more  retired  virtues.  A  woman,  who  can  fparkle  and 
engage  the  admiration  of  eveiy  beliolder,  at  a  birth 
night  or  a  ball,  is  not  always  content  with  the  grr.vi  r 
oIHce  of  managing  a  family,  or  the  flill  and  fober  inno- 
cence of  domeftic  fcenes.  Befides  dancir.g  is  not,  at 
certain  moments,  without  its  temptations.  An  elegant, 
illuminated  room,  brilliant  company,  the  enchanting 
powers  of  mufic,  admiring  tycs,  obfcquious  beans,  at- 
titude, &c.  are  apt  t®  tranfporl  the  mind  a  lillle  be- 
yond the  rational  medium  of  gentle  agitation. 

I  would  not,  however,  be  a  cynical  moralift,  that 
would  abridge  you  of  any  harmlefs  amufemcnt.  1  have 
only  my  apprehenfions  for  your  innocence,  for  indeed 
it  is  a  plant  of  a  very  delicate  complexion.  And  you 
will  then  have  attained  the  peifedlion  of  your  charadler, 
when  you  can  mix  a  paflion  for  thefe  elegant  accom- 
plishments, with  a  turn  for  folid  and  domeftic  virtue  ; 
when  you  can,  one  night  be  difilHguiflied  at  a  ball,  and 
the  next,  want  no  other  entertainment,  that  what  the 
fliade,  your  family,  a  well  chofen  book  or  an  agreeable 
walk  arc  able  to  afford.  I  fliould  wifh  you  to  be  ijmocent, 
and  if  pojfible,  accomplished  at  the  fa?ne  time ;  but  at 
any  rate,  I  would  have  you  i?!nocenti  becaufe  otherwife 
you  cannot  be  happy. 


YOUNG     LADY.  lOj 

LETTER        LXVII. 

MY   DEAR   LUCY, 


w 


ILL  you  bear  with  my  impertinence,  if  I  at- 
tempt to  give  you  my  dire^lions  on  a  fuhj'^il  where 
your  feK  are  allowed  to  poflcfs  infinitely  more  tafte  and 
judgment  tlian  our  own — that  of  drefs.  I  offer,  how- 
ever, my  plain  and  undlf^uifcd  fcntiments,  only  for 
your  advantage  ;  and  I  am  fure  you  will  receive  them 
with  that  candour  and  indulgence,  to  which  my  fricnd- 
fliip  for  you  has  an  indifpuiable  claim. 

Neatnefsf  you  cannot  cultivate  with  too  much  atten- 
tion. I  woJild  prefs  It  on  every  female,  as  llrongly,  if 
pofTible,  as  Lord  Cheftcrfitld  did  the  graces  on  his  fon. 
The  want  of  it  is  unpardonable  in  a  ;;;^;;,  but  in  a  ivowan, 
it  \sj7:>ockirig  It  difgulls  all  her  friends  and  intimates  ; 
has  ellranged  the  affeftions  of  many  an  hufband,  and 
made  him  feek  that  fatisfc>6lion  abroad,  which  he  found 
not  at  home. 

Some  ladles,  who  were  rtmarkably  attentive  to  their 
perfons  before  marriage,  neglc6l  t!:em  afterivards^  in  an 
egregious  manner.  They  cannot  pay  a  worfe  compli- 
ment to  their  own  delicacy,  or  to  their  h;  {l)and3.  if 
they  conceived  fome  efforts  neceffary  to  gain  ihe  prize, 
more,    I  am  fure,  are  required  to  preferve  it. 

It  is  the  opinion  of  ( I  believe,)  Rochefocauk,  that 
nice  obfeiver  of  life  and  manners,  that  the  affcvfiion  of 
woman  increafes  after  martiagt,  whillt  that  (»f  man  is 
apt  to  decline.  Whatever  be  the  c.uifet  a  piudeiU  wo- 
man will,  at  leall:,  ufe  every  method  In  her  power,  to 
guard  ag'-iinfl  fo  }nortifying  a  change.  Neatncfs,  how- 
ever, is  cajily  pradliied,  and  will  always  have  confider- 
able  weight. 

In  the  eyes  of  fervjnls  ancf  Comedies,  indeed,  a  wo- 
man lofes  her  conleqneiice  and  authority  by  a  ntglt^l  of 
her  perfon.  She  will  not  be  obeyed  with  chterfulnefs, 
fhe  will  become  an  o!  jec^  of  ridicule^  in  aii  their  pvivale 

T?    - 


ic6  L  E  TT  E  R  S    T  O     A 

parties  and  converfations.  If  Inferiors  muft  be  fubjeft, 
they  will  pay  an  uncofjjlrai ned  hom?ige  only  to  a  perfon, 
who  attrads  by  propriety,   the  cftimation  of  the  world. 

Ncatnefs  is  the  rial ur a/  ^zrh  of  a  well  ordered  mind, 
and  has  a  near  alliance  with  purity  of  heart.  Law  has 
faid  of  his  Miranda,  that  fhe  was  always  clean  without, 
bL^ciufe  fhe  was  aUays  pure  ivithin.  And  Richardfon, 
whofc  talie  was  as  exquifjtc,  as  his  imagination  glow- 
ir.'g,  haa  painted  his  ClarifTa,  as  always  drcffcd,  before 
fhe  came  down  ftairs,  for  any  company,  that  might 
break  in  upon  her  during  the  whole  day. 

Finery  is  feldom  graceful.  The  cafy  undrefs  of  a 
morning  often  pleafes  more,  than  the  mod  elaborate 
and  coftly  ornaments,  1  need  not  fay  of  how  much 
time  and  money  they  rob  us,  which  are  facred  to  virtue 
and  to  the  poor,  nor  how  foon  this  very  embellijhedhody 
will  be  duft  and  afhes.  The  perfeflion  of  the  art  is 
conveyed  in  tnvo  words  ;  an  elegaiit  fimplicity.  Ladies 
are  certainly  injudicious  in  employing  fo  many  male 
frifeurs  about  their  perfons.  The  cuftom  is  indelicate  ; 
it  is  contrary  to  cleafilir.cfs,  and  all  their  manoeuvres  can- 
not equal  the  beauty  of  natural^  eafy  ringlets,  unior- 
tured  and  unadorned. 

The  nearer  you  approach  to  the  mafcuHne  in  your 
apparel,  the  further  you  will  recede  from  the  appropriate 
graces  and  foftnefs  of  your  fex.  Addifon,  in  his  day, 
laOied,  with  a  delicate  vein  of  irony,  this  abfurd  tranf' 
forniation.  The  prefent  age  wants  fuch  an  inimitable 
cenfor.  The  riding  habits,  particularly,  that  have 
been  fo  fafhionable,  and  even  made  their  appearance  at 
all  public  places,  conceal  every  thing  that  is  attraftlve 
in  a  vi'oman's  perfon,  her  figure,  her  manner,  and  her 
graces.  They  wholly  inifex  her,  and  give  her  the  un- 
plcafing  air  of  an  Amazon,  or  a  virago.  Who  likes 
the  idea  ?  or  if  you  would  be  more  ftruck  with  the  ah' 
furdity,  tell  me  what  you  would  think  of  petite  7naitres, 
in  muffs?  You  immediately  dcfpife  the  ridlculoufncfs  of 
the  one  ;  we  daily  feel  \.\^u7incituruhufs  of  the  other. 
We  forget  that  you  are  nuo?neH  in  Juch  a  garl?,  and  we 
forget  to  love. 

Every  public  paper  one  opens,  is  a  violation  of  your 
delicacy  and  an  infult  to  your  underftanding.   Powders, 


Y  O  U  N  G     L  A  D  Y.  107 

perfumes,  pomatums,  cofmetics,  effence  of  rofes, 
Olympian  dew,  artificial  eyes,  te^th,  hair,  advenifed 
for  your  advantage,  would  be  an  heavy  ftigma,  if  ferae 
kind  and  nvell  di/po/eii  persons  amongft;  our  oivfi  fexy  were 
not  willing  to  fhare  with  you,  a  part  of  the  burden. 
Bluih,  my  dear  girl,  at  fuch  unfeemly  pradices.  Be 
content  to  be,  what  God  and  nature  inh-ndcd  you : 
appear  in  your  true  colours  ;  abhor  any  thing,  like  ds' 
ceiiy  in  your  appearance,  as  well  ;is  your  charailer. 
What  muft  all  fenfible  men  think  of  a  woman,  who 
has  a  room,  filled  with  a  thoufand  preparations  and 
mixtures  to  deceive  him  ?  What  money,  what  time  mu(l 
be  given  to  this  odious^  infufferable  vanity  !  Under  fuch 
unnatural  management,  how  different  muft  be  the  fe- 
male oilhtevening  and  the  morning!  What  mud  we  think 
of  marriage,  drcfling-rooms  and  toilets!  What  nn 
opening  for  expoftulation,  coldncffes,  avcrfions  !  If  an 
**  elegant  fimplicity"  be  the  perfection  of  drefs,  this 
is  furcly,  as  far  as  poSible,  removed  from  perfe(Slion. 
It  is  noK  Jijnplicity  ;  it  is  not  elegaht. 

It  v^ould  be  cruel  to  add  any  thing  to  the  punifhment 
of  the  7;ieni  vvho  can  hare  recourfe  to  fuch  effeminate 
artifices.  They  have  already  the  fcoru  and  ridicule  of 
one  fex,  and  the  ftern  contempt  and  indignation  of  the 
other.  They  are  poor,  amphibious  animals,  that  the 
bed  naturalills  know  not  under  what  clafb  to  arrange. 

Painting  is  indecent,  ofTenfive,  criminal.  It  haftens 
the  approach  of  wrinkUs  j  it  dcftroys  conilitutions,  and 
defaces  the  image  of  your  maker. 

Would  you  think  of  giving  the  lad  touch  to  the  pie- 
ces of  a  Poufiln,  or  a  Salvator  RoGi  ?  Believe  for  a  mo- 
ment, that  the  Almighty  is,  at  Itad,  as  gre:U  in  hij  way, 
as  cither  of  ihefe  artifts. 

Let  the  martyrs  of  fafaion,  luxury  and  difTipation, 
v/ho  turn  night  into  day,  have  reconrfe  to  this  filthy 
and  abominable  pr^dicc.  Let  then  fegk  n  refouice 
from  the  rebukes  of  their  conl^ier.M.  i;i  ^aiety  ind  n.jife. 
But  let  the  fairnefs  of  yom  comjJexion  btkonly  that  of 
nature,  and  let  your  r^ige  ^«  i'  e  cvimTou  biuih  of 
heiith,  arifing  from  tcmpc.a.icc,  regularity,  excrcife 
and  air. 


io8  LETTERS,     ^c. 

That  beauty,  truly  blent,  whofe  red  and  white, 
Nature's  onvn  fweet,  and  cunning  hand  laid  on. 

Such  Jimp/id  ty  will  recommend  you  to  God  ;  and,  if 
yon  retain  any  fears  of  offending  him,  how  dare  you 
deface  his  image,  in  your  countenance,  by  artificial 
decorations.  Such  innocence  will  charm,  when  paint 
is  diffolved.  It  will  call  up  a  bloom,  and  caft  a  fra- 
grance evcnonthelatell  winter  of  your  age. 


BHD   Of    VOLUME    FIRS  To 


LETTERS 

TO    A 

YOUNG      LADY, 

ON      A      VARIETY     OF 

USEFUL  AND  INTERESTING  SUBJECTS  i 

CALCULATED    TO 

IMPROVE   THE    HEART,    TO   FORM    THE    MANNERS, 
AND    ENLIGHTEN     THE    UNDERSTANDING. 

•*  That  our  Daughters  may  be  as  polilhed  Corners  of  the  Temple." 
TO   WHICH    IS   PREFIXED, 

STRICTURES  on  FEMALE  EDUCATION. 

By  the  Rev.  JOHN  BENNETT. 

i'  '  "  — ««. 

FROM  THE   FOURTH   LONDON    EDITION   IMPROVED. 

■^— *—     ■    ■  I  ■       I  I      ■  i|i     ■mil    t»tm    •   ■««.*■■■■     V 

IN  TWO  VOLUMES. 

VOL.     IL 


■m 


PHILADELPHIA: 


IRIKTBD    FOR    W.     SPOTbWOOD,     AND    H,   AND   P.   RlOP, 

Market'Jireet, 


9Z' 


LETTERS,    &c. 


LETTER 

To  Mifs  Lucy  — 

MY    DEAR    LUCY, 


x\  WOMAN  may  be  fairly  allowed  a  little  more 
attention  to  orvatnenti  than  would  be  pardonable  in  the 
other  fex.  Nature,  through  all  her  works,  has  lavlfhed 
more  (?x^6'r;;j/ brilliancy,  colouring  and  plumage  on  the 
female.  And  though  drefs,  in  itfelf,  is  no  ejfential 
quality,  we  are  induced  to  jtidge  more  of  your  r^^/cha- 
radler  and  difpofition  from  it,  than  you  are  apt  to  Ima- 
gine. We  fancy  it,  in  its  different  modifications ^  a 
mark  of  good  fenfe,  delicacy  and  difcretion,  or  of  the 
very  oppofite  defers.  Every  fenfiblc  woman,  there- 
fore, will  ftudy  it  fo  far,  as  not  to  fubjed  herfelf  to  un- 
favourable conftru(ftions.  She  will  endeavour  to  con- 
vince every  beholder,  that  (he  knows  the  proper  ;7W/«^/5 
betwixt  a  ridiculous  profujion,  and  a  total  ivant^  of  or- 
nament ;  that  (hie  can  tiffue  plalnnefs  with  elegance  ; 
that  (he  does  not  wifli  lo  Jeduce  by  her  appearance,  but 
only  \o  pleafe ;  that  (lie  hi-s  cultivated  her  mind,  much 
more  than  lier  perfon,  and  placed  the  higheft  value, 
not  on  the  ouiiijardt  periftiablc  cajket,  but  the  diamond 
*withitt. 

I  rejoice  that  the  good  fenfe  of  my  country  women 
has  corrc6led  fome  bite  glaring  indecencies  of  drefs. 
Young  ladies  fliould  not  be  too  liberal  in  the  difplay  of 
thtir  charms.     Too  much  expofurs  docs    not   enhance 


4  LETTERS     TO    A 

their  value.  And  it  approaches,  too  nearly,  to  the 
manner  of  thofe  women,  whom  they  would  furely  think 
it  no  honour  to  refemble.  Bofoms  (hould  throb  unfeen* 
The  bouffant  was  an  ornament  of  too  tranfparent  a 
kind.  Wherever  deh'cacy  throws  its  modell  drapery, 
imagination  always  lends  inexprcfllble  charms.  As  fine 
a  woman,  as  the  Venus  of  Medici,  would  ceafe  to  be 
admired,  if  curiofity  ceafed  to  hQ/ufpended. 

There  is  a  great  ncatnejs  in  the  drefs  of  quakers,  and 
of  fome  other  Ie(flarie3,  who  have  copied  their  examj)]c. 
It  has,  however,  more  prirnncfs^  than  eafe.  In  this 
refpc6t,  you  have  too  much  good  fenfe  to  z^t^  ftnow 
larity.  Religion  confills  in  fomcthing  more  fubjian- 
tiaU  than  any  particular  modes  of  appearance.  And 
there  Is,  if  I  miltake  not,  fome  conceit  and  pride,  un- 
der this  prodigious,  over-aSied  \iVet.\ur\t{s.  Many,  whom 
thefe  narrow  n-.Inded  perfons  would  fentence,  perhaps, 
to  torments,  for  being  elegantly  drefTed,  have  hearts, 
that  overflow  with  univerfal  benevolence,  and  Infinitely 
more  piety  and  goodnefs,  than  themfelves. 

You  know  what  young  lady  I  mean  by  Evielia.  I. 
do  not  know  a  perfon,  that  drefles  better.  She  is  fin- 
gularly  happy  in  the  choice  of  colours*  Like  her  vir- 
tues, they  are  of  the  foft  zv\djfjaded  kind,  not  the  bril- 
liant or  the  gaudy.  I  never  faw  her  fine  ;  but  fhe  never 
is  fantajiic.  She  Is  feldom  fplendid  ;  but  neatnefs  is 
all  her  own.  If  fhe  puts  on  only  a  ribbon,  It  is  feled^ed 
with  all  the  exquifite  modefly  of  her  mind,  and  dif- 
pofed  of  by  the  hands  of  tafle.  The  graces  always 
appear  to  have  been  in  waiting  for  the  moments,  that 
fhe  ever  fuffers  drefs  to  take  up  her  attention. 

I  veiy  much  admire  the  fafhes,  which,  of  late,  have 
been  fo  fafhionable  among  ft  young  ladies.  They  give 
me  the  idea  of  a  childifh  fimplicity,  innocence  and 
cafe.  Thefe,  2iX\^  flom)ing  ringlets  are  on  the  fyftem  of 
nature.      And  nature  will  always  pleafe. 

I  am  forry,  however,  to  obferve  that  thefe  ^/>///^ 
ornaments  fhould  likewife  have  encircled  the  lefs  deli- 
cate vvaids  of  fome  married  women.  There  cannot  be 
a  more  abfurd  or  difgufting  affcflatlon.  If  1  was  not 
writing  to  ladies,  I  would  be  hmnorous.  On  fuch  a 
fubjed,    I  could   be  fevere.     But  fome  improper  ideas 


YOUNGLADY.  5 

might  be  fuggefted,  and  I  will  only  fay,  that  the  fober 
Aged  autumn,  is  never  clad  in  the  cheerful  livery  of 
fpring. 

On  the  whole,  my  dear  girl,  as  a  reafonable  creature, 
and  as  a  chiiftian,  never  fuffer  yourftlf  to  be  led  away 
by  an  extravagant  fondnefs  for  drefs.  What  is  finery, 
compared  with  underflaridfng  ?  What  is  fplendour, 
contrafted  with  reafon  ?  Wliat  is  your  body,  but  a 
temporary  receptacle  for  an  bmnortal  mind  ?  It  is  hut 
the  cafket ;  tlie  jenvel  Is  the  foul.  And  how  very  low 
and  poor  in  itfelf  is  the  ambition  of  apparel  ?  After 
all  our  efforts,  we  can  never  make  it  equal  the  beauty 
of  lilies,  or  to  vie  with  the  exquifite  tints  of  the  rofe. 
Whatever  you  can  fpare,  from  fuch  expence,  to  give 
to  the  poor,  will  be  a  folid  trcafure,  when  beauty  is 
but  dull  and  aflies,  and  when  gaiety  is  forgotten. 

LETTER         II. 

X  OLITENESS,  if  fuppofed,  like  Lord  Clietler- 
field's,  to  be  made  up  of  dilfwiulatlo7i,  or  to  confill  in 
a  number  of  ceremonious  attitudes  or  fulfome  compli- 
ments, without  any  meaning.  Is  ridiculoufly  frholous  ; 
but  on  the  other  hand,  if  it  firings  from  principle, 
from  a  real  defire  of  plrafing,  and  is  directed  to  its  pro- 
per ends,  it  is,  at  leiill,  a  moft  amiable  quality,  if  it 
does  not  rank  in  the  number  of  the  virtues.  In  the 
interconrfe  of  life  and  the  prefent  ftate  of  fociety,  this 
good  breeding  is  neceffary  to  our  own  peace  and  to  that 
of  others  It  prevents  a  thoufand  Inquietudes,  irritations, 
offences  ;  It  diffufes  an  innocent  pleafure,  and  it  diffufes 
it  every  memetit.  We  daily  converfe  with  many  perfons, 
confidcrably  indifercnt  to  us,  and  from  whom  we  ex- 
pcft  neither  fervices  nor  obligations,  who,  yet,  have  it 
in  their  power,  by  a  rough,  ungracious  manner,  by 
unguarded  faylngs,  or  fpeaking  (as  it  is  called,)  tkeir 
mindsy  effentially  to  huit  our  feellng^^,  four  our  fplriis, 
give  us  a  bad  head  ach,  or  to  brtak  our  reft  ;  there  arc 
%3  many,    on  the  other  hand,  who  look  up  to  us  for  no- 


6  LETTERSTOA 

ejfential  favours,  whom,  yet,  in  our  turn,  we  may,  not 
a  little,  irritate  and  dlftrefs,  by  a  want  of  civility,  by 
any  hauteur  or  fupercllioufncfs  in  our  looks  or  carriage, 
or  a  withholding  of  thofe  kind  attention'^,  which,  on 
every  principle  of  reafon,  humanity  and  civih'zaiion, 
are  reciprocally  due  from  every  human  creature  to  an- 
other. 

This  reafoning,  ftill  more  forcibly,  applies  to  mem- 
bers of  iht  favie  family  ;  to  wives  and  hufbands;  chil- 
dren and  parents  ;  brothers  and  fifltis.  li  this  kind 
of  good  breeding  be  ever  violated  amongft  therriy 
the  confcqnence  is  coldnefs,  qudrrels  and  gradual 
aierjion. 

So  great,  indeed,  is  the  influence  of  true  politenefs 
over  the  mind,  that  even  favours  conferred  in  an  ««- 
pleafmg  manner,  'without  it,  become  an  infupportable 
iufult;  whllft  a  refufal,  yj/?*?/;/  by  It,  into  an  obliga- 
tion, and  is,  fometimes,  made  the  bafis  of  a  lalling 
gratitude,   affeftion  or  eileem. 

This  grace  may  be  defined  the  art  of  being  eafy  our- 
felves,  in  company,  and  of  making  all  others  eafy 
aboat  titj.  It  it.  ihc  proper  medium  heuvixt  the  total 
want  of,  and  an  oThclous,  over-a6led,  civility.  It 
confills  in  a  jjencral,  indifcrtmbiate  attention  ;  in  doing 
little  civil  offices,  and  faying  obliging  things  to  all  the 
parties  we  converfc  with  ;  in  accommodating  ourfelves, 
as  well  as  the  converfation  to  their  particular  taftes, 
habits  and  Inclinations;  in  keeping  every  offenfive  fub- 
je£l  and  idea  out  of  view  ;  in  never  glancing  at  at  cur 
own  affairs,  and  almoft  p^iying  the  minuteil  regard  to 
thofe  of  others  ;  in  anmhilating^  as  it  were,  ourfelves, 
and  as  (ludiouriy  exalting  all  that  are  about  us. 

If  I  have  not  much  miftaken,  the  bed  rules  for  it 
will  be  found  in  that  religion,  which  requires  us  **  to 
**  love  one  another  ;  to  be  genile  and  courteous  ;  to 
**  avoid  offences  ;  to  become  innocently  all  things  to 
*'  all  men  ;  in  honour  to-  prefer  one  another,  and  to 
**  efteem  others  better  than  ourfelves." 

The  exteriors  of  good  breeding,  fuch  as  prefenting 
yourfelf  gracefully,  entering  or  quitting  a  room  with 
eafe,  a  proper  gait,  air,  gefture,  &c.  I  am  not,  at 
prefent,  conlidering.     Theje  are  only  acquired  by  early 


YOUNGLADY.  7 

education,  habits  of  good  company,  or  by  a  general 
intercourfe  with  the  world  ;  and  though  they  may  be 
wanting,  I  will  venture  to  fay,  that  the  pcrfon  will  al- 
ways pleafe,  and  always  be  refpefted,  who  poflcfTes 
only  this  principle  ivithin. 

True  politeuefs  gives  a  lujire  to  all  our  good  quali- 
ties. It  is  a  fovereign  ena^nel  to  all  the  virtues,  and 
proportionably  extends  our  power  of  doing  good. 
Learning,  riches,  ftation,  talents,  genius,  'without  it, 
are  overbearing  and  infuffcrable,  or  at  lead  may  be 
very  aivkivat d  and  unplejifing.  They  refemble  a  rich 
UTiJintJIjed  Y'\S.\n'ty  thrown  into  ridark  and  an  unpleafant 
room.  Politenefs  gives  them  the  la(l  touch,  raift^s  them 
into  a  proper  light,  and  clothes  them  wiih  the  moft 
beautiful  drapery. 

Religion  itfelf  has  often  fuffered  for  want  of  this 
grace.  Good  people,  have  not,  always,  been  gentle, 
courteous  or  well  bred,  and  an  odium  has  been  fixed  on 
their  profefTion,  which  has  deterred  many  from  becom- 
ing converts. 

Many  bad  men,  on  t!)e  other  hand,  by  a  pleafing 
manner,  have  fo  faccefsfully  varnifhed  over  their  viccs^ 
as  to  have  acquired  a  confiderable  reputation.  'I'heir 
crimes  have  been  forgotten  in  their  politenefs.  Can  I 
mention  a  ilrongcr  argument  to  recommend  thisaccom- 
plifliment  ?  We  fhould  not,  furely,  for  want  of  a  lit- 
tle care,  **  fuffer  our  good  to  be  evil  ipoken  of." 


'<>-<^^^Z^. 


LETTER         IIL 


I 


T  is  a  great  unhappinefs  to  wany  ladies  o^i  fortune, 
that  they  have  not  fntlicient  employment  to  fill  u'p  their 
time  ;  and  in  order  to  prevent  that  langour  and  ennu), 
v/hich  are  the  moft  unplealant  feelings  of  human  life, 
either  fall  into  a  low  ftate  of  fpirity,  or  have  recourfc 
to  play,  public  pleafures,  or  a  perpetual  round  of  vifjtSy 
for  their  amufemcnt. 

The  religious  cxercifes,  however,  and  the  ftudies,  I 
have  recommended,  will  not  only  occupy  ^i?//;-  hours  ir. 


8  LETTERSTOA 

a  rational  and  ufeful  manner,  hnX.  fome  of  them,  from 
their  very  nature,  will  become  an  inexhauftlble  fourcc 
of  the  pureft  pleafure.  Still  uniformity  in  any  one 
piirfuit,  however  pleafing,  will  exhauft  the  fpirits,  and 
they  will  frequently  want  relief.  The  eye  could  not 
esnjiantly  behold,  without  injury,  the  motl  beautiful 
landfcapc.  It  may,  perhaps,  be  the  privilepje  o{  a/igels 
a:)d  fuperlor  fpirits,  to  ferve  their  Maker  without  wea- 
riiicfs  or  diflradlon  ;  but  a  mind,  united  to  a  body  of 
r/jj,  mufl  have  very  frequent  intervals  of  langourf  and 
waijt  as  many  of  intermiffion. 

Innocent  relaxation  is  as  much  a  part  of  true  wifdom, 
as  employment  iifelf.  Indeed  it  is  neceffary  to  fit  us 
for  our  duties.  The  earth  itfelf  would  not  be  able  to 
vegetate  and  flioot  forth  into  all  the  bloom  and  verdure 
of  fprinj;,  if  it  did  not  regain  its  exhauftcd  powers 
durini;t!ie  fombrous  leifure  of  the  winter. 

Tlie  rule  is,  we  fliould  amufe  ourfclve?,  In  order  to 
live.  In  the  true  fenfe  of  the  word,  and  not  live  to  be 
amufed.  Relaxation,  conducted  on  //;/'/  principle,  will 
never  occupy  too  great  a  fhare  of  our  time  or  atten- 
tion. It  will  be  confiltcnt  with  the  univerfal  principle 
of  "doing  all  things  to  the  glory  of  God.*' 

A  woman's  amufemcnts  fliould,  as  much  as  poflible, 
be  domejiic ;  and  her  own  walls  will  prefv-Mit  many  ex- 
cellent opportuaitics  of  fuch  a  nature.  The  exercife 
of  parental  or  filial  affccllon  is  a  fource  of  heart-felt 
and  refined  pleafure.  Intercourfes  of  tendernefs  be- 
twixt branches  of  the  fame  family,  and  the  little  en- 
gaging attentions  they  create,  ftlmulate  the  finer  move- 
ments of  the  body,  and  give  play  to  all  the  refre filing 
emotions.  A  viother,  in  particular,  mult  have  thefe 
natural  delights  in  per'efiion.  Her  heart  mull  vibrate, 
with  an  exqiiifite  fondnefs,  to  the  playful  graces  of  a 
little  offspring,  and  their  continually  unfolding  charms. 

Exercife  In  the  open  air,  is  another  great  amufement. 
Frtfh  breezes,  variety  of  objeds,  gentle  motion,  and 
all  the  charming  pidures  of  nature  cheer  the  mind, 
and  Invigorate  the  fpirits.  The  fedentary  life  of  wo- 
men Is  the  parent  of  many  fafliionable  complaints  ; 
weak  nerves,  low  fpirits,  vapours,  hyllerics,  langours. 
A^o  cor.Hitutlon   can  long  withlland  the  bad  effeds  of 


YOUNGLADY.  9 

luxury  and  Inaftion.  Such  people  may  exifty  but  they 
cannot  live. 

In  a  rich  entertainment,  Mr.  Addlfon  faw  fevers, 
dropfies,  gouts  and  rheumatifms  in  embryo.  Who, 
that  looks  at  women,  emaciated  with  i?iidnight  plea- 
fures,  and  pale  for  want  of  cxcrcife  and  air,  miift  not 
behold  the  feeds  of  infinite  diforders,  and  likewife 
tremble  for  the  rifing  generation  ? 

The  ancients  paid  a  very  nice  attention  to  the  con- 
flitution  of  females.  To  give  them,  in  particular fitua- 
tionSi  every  degree  of  firmnefs,  was  not  thought  be- 
neath the  attention  of  thofe  great  men,  who  by  their 
eloquence  and  valour,  aftoniftied  the  world. 

Attention  to  a  garden  is  a  ixwXy  fetninine  amufement. 
If  you  mix  it  with  a  tafte  for  botany  and  a  knowledge 
of  plants  and  flowers,  you  will  never  be  in  want  of  an 
excellent  reftorative.  Our  firfl  parents  are  dcfcribed 
by  Milton,  as  tending  the  fhrubs  and  flowers  of  their 
paradife,  with  unceafing  affiduity,  and  as  rifing  with 
the  dawn  to  work  : 

Amongft  fweet  dews  and  flow'rs,  where  any  row 
Of  fruit  trees  over  woody,  reached  too  far 
Their  pamper'd  boughs,  and  needed  hands  to  check 
Fruitlefs  embraces,  or  they  lead  the  vine 
To  wed  her  elm— — — 

There  is  an  inexpreflible  tranquility  in  a  garden, 
which  fooths  the  fpirits  into  that  kind  of  cheerful  pen- 
fjvenefs,  which  is,  perhaps,  the  right  temperature  of 
the  moral  conftitution.  Our  Saviour  often  reforted  to 
a  garden.  Innocence  and  piety  found  It  the  happleft 
place  for  meditation  and  repofe.  It  is  impoflible,  in- 
deed, to  have  a  richer  blefling,  than  a  tafle  for  the 
general  beauties  of  nature.  It  is  an  inexhautlible  fund 
of  pleafure  within  every  perfon's  reach  ;  It  purifies  and 
refines  the  mind,  and  raifes  it  above  the  artificial  gai- 
eties, which  are  purchafed  at  fo  great  an  cxpence  of 
time,  money,  and  often,  of  conjlitution. 

O  blefs'd  of  heav'n,  whom  not  the  languid  fongs 
Of  luxury,  the  firen,  nor  the  bribes 


io  LETTERSTOA 

Of  fordid  wealth,  nor  all  the  gaudy  fports 

Of  pageant  honours  can  fcduce  to  leave 

Thcfe  ever  blooming  fwtets,   which,  from  the  (lore 

Of  nature^  fair  Imagination  calls 

To  charm  the  enlivenM  foul. 

Thus  the  men, 
Whom  nature's  works  can  charm,  with  God  hlmfelf 
Hold  converfe,  grow  familiar  day  by  day 
With  his  conceptions,  ad  upon  his  plan, 
And  form  to  hisy  the  relifli  of  tkeiry   fouls. 

Vtut  /riendJJjipy  after  all,  is  the  great  medicine  of  life. 
We  were  born  for  fociety,  and  the  mind  never  fo  effec- 
tually unburdens  iifelf,  as  in  the  converfation  of  a  well 
choferi  friend.  Happy  the  woman,  who  finds  fuch  a 
treafure !  **  It  is  more  precious,  than  thoufands  of 
"  gold  or  filver." 

Great  care,  indeed,  judgment,  tafte  and  vigilance 
are  abfolutely  neceffary  to  diredl  you  in  the  choice.  A 
JiriSi  friendship  is  adopting,  as  it  were,  the  fentiments, 
the  manners,  tr.c  morals,  and,  almoit  the  happinefs  or 
mifery  of  others.  Religion  fhould  guide  you  on  this 
occafion.  None  but  a  good  perfon  is  capable  of  true 
attachment,  and,  I  truft,  wh\\  you  no  other  would  af- 
fimilate.  If  you  can  meet  with  fuch  a  charafler,  who, 
at  the  fame  time,  has  a  liberal  and  cultivated  mind, 
you  are  rich  indeed  ! 

Sincere  friend  (hips  are,  more  generally,  formed  at 
an  early  age.  The  heart,  in  this  tender  feafon,  is  foft 
and  unfufpicious.  It  is  amazing  how  the  little  tumults 
cf  life  after'wards  joftic  us  againjiy  and  put  us  out  of 
humour  and  conceit  with,  one  another.  Senfibility 
becomes  petrified  by  age  and  obfervation.  Ambition, 
avarice,  and  the  little  paltry  competitions,  freeze  up 
the  generous  current  of  the  foul. 


LETTER         IV. 


p 


UBLIC    p'eafnres  are   eileemed   and    called  the 
amufcments  of  women.      But  I  think  them  far  from  an- 


YOUNG     LADY.  u 

fwcrlng  the  name.  In  fadl  they  ^^/7<7/^,  rather  than  r<r//Vi;^, 
and  are  more  frequently  fources  of  vexation,  than  re- 
pofe.  Superior  rivals  eclipfe  ;  fancied  friends  are  in- 
attentive, and  the  gaiety  of  the  fcene  has  no  connexion 
with  quiet  of  the  lieart.  The  time,  money,  and  pre- 
paration they  require,  are  a  ferlous  confidtration,  and 
x\it\x  frequericy  renders  them  a  bufinefs  ;  inllead  of  pre 
ferving  heahh,  they  undermine  and  dellroy  it.  Late 
hours,  hot  rooms,  and  an  agitated  mind  are  unfavour- 
able to  reft  ;  and  the  God  of  fleep  will  not  long  be  de- 
frauded of  his  rights,   without  retaliating  the  offence. 

What  wc  call  pltafure,  is  but  a  fplendid  and  a  vo- 
luntary yd-rt^/V^.  If  it  had  not  the  narue  of  amufement, 
wc  fhouldyZr/Wi^  from  it,  as  an  intolerable  burden. 

Who  are  fo  great  flaves  as  the  votaries  of  fafhlon  ? 
What  requires  more  Jyfieviatical  diligence,  than  the 
watching  of  every,  varying  mode  of  drefs,  and  *'  catch- 
**  ing  thefe  living  manner?,  as  they  rife  ?" 

Of  all  women,  they  who  call  themfelvcs  fafhionable, 
are  the  moft  unhappy  ;  ever  idly  bufy  ;  ever  vainly  agi- 
tated ;  their  peace  depends  on  a  whifper,  on  a  look, 
or  a  thoufand,  little  emulations,  too  ridiculous  to  be 
mentioned!  They  dread  a  private  moment,  more  than 
an  affaffin,  and  with  very  great  reafon  ;  they  cannot 
glance  into  themfelvcs  with  comfort;  they  cannot  look 
into  eternity  with  hope  !  Rtafon  fuggefts,  that  they 
were  born  forfomething  higher,  and  there  <?;■£?  moments, 
yshcn  conjcience  will  be  heard. 

How  unheeded  are  the  cries  and  prattle  of  their  in- 
fants !  How  unhappy  muft  be  the  man,  who  has  re- 
ceived from  fuch  women,  vows  which  they  will  not 
perform,  of  fidelity  and  of  attachment ! 

After  all,  it  is  only  in  the  pradice  of  virtue  ;  it  13 
only  in  domejlic  life,  that  lies  all  the  joUd^  becaufe  all 
untuinultuouSi  joy. 


I 


••<>«—<>-<S>^5'<S>  ••<>••"■<►• 


LETTER         V. 


T  would  be  uncomfortable  \.o  yourfelf  to  live  wholly 
alcne  in  the  midft  of  fociety  ;    and  to  stkerst  it  would 


It  LETTERSTOA 

carry  the  appearance  of  great  pride,  or  conceit,  orfin- 
gularlty.  As  wc  were  born  to  be  citizens  of  the  nuorld, 
we  feel  ourfelves  uncomfortable,  when  we  are  not  in  the 
exchange  of  little  civilities  with  people  about  us  ;  and 
they  in  their  turn,  contradl  unplcafant  piques  and  pre- 
judices againft  us.  Mixing  with  company  has  certainly 
the  good  cfft-ifl  of  promoting  benevolence,  and  pre- 
venting many  little  fhyneffcs  and  mifconftru^lions. 
Nay,  even  the  lighted  and  mod  infignllicant  converfa- 
tlon  has  a  tendency  to  relieve  intenfe  thoughtfulnefs, 
and  keep  the  mind  from  preying  too  much  upon  itfelf. 

Tea  parties  are  the  general  mode  of  fociety,  amongft 
ladies.  And  you  mull  give  into  them,  in  feme  degree, 
if  ymi  will  cultivate  any  acquaintance  with  people  of 
fortune.  Soifie  of  your  fex  fpend  their  time  in  a  conti- 
w«i7/ rotation  of  thefe  vifits,  and  have  fo  many  precon- 
certed engagements  on  their  hands,  as  require  a  very 
orderly  arrangement  upon  paper.  But  this  is  a  mofl 
\ifelefs  and  infipid  life  ;  and,  where  there  is  a  fafNilyy 
cannot  fail  to  interfere  with  many  duties  of  far  higher 
importance.  The  time,  that  is  taken  up  in  drefs 
alone,  and  the  money  it  requires,  are  a  prodigious  fa- 
crifice. 

Nor  in  the  light  of  amufeinent  alone,  is  this  continual 
vlfiting  to  be  much  recommended.  It  affords  neither 
air  nor  exercife,  and,  frequently,  not  much  agreeable 
or  ufeful  converfation.  The  generality  of  men  are  fo 
much  undomefticated^  fo  loft  to  every  thing,  that  is  in- 
nocent in  talle,  or  natural  in  pleafure,  that  they  are  but 
feldom  to  be  met  with  in  thefe  parties.  A  group  of 
beautiful  females  are  not  unfrequently  feen  together, 
without  one  fingle  perfon  of  the  other  fex,  tofharethe 
enjoyment ;  and  it  is,  I  conceive,  in  mixed  companies 
aloyiCi  that  converfation  has  its  proper  interej},  flavour 
or  improvement. 

Your  vifits,  therefore,  I  truft,  will  be,  compara- 
tively, rare,  and  nicely  feleded  ;  and  I  hope  you  will 
always  prefcrve  yourfelf  from  the  reproach,  that  is  ge- 
nerally thrown  on  thefe  meetings,  as  being  vehicles  of 
gofiiping  and  fcandal.  It  has  been  objeAed  to  your 
fex,  that  they  are  prone  to  fatire.     At  a  certain  age. 


YOUNGLADY.  i$ 

and  under  fome  difappointfrientSi  perhaps  this  is  true. 
They  have  been  colFeding,  for  many  years,  a  quantity 
of  fpleen,  and  imprudently  difcharge  it  on  every  perfon, 
that  falls  in  their  way.  This  renders  a  woman  unlovely 
indeed.  Nay  the  attempt  at  iu/7,  or  faying  frnart 
things,  is,  by  no  means  to  be  encouraged.  True  hu- 
mour is  the  lot  of  few,  and  can  never  be  an  advantajre 
to  a  ivoman.  From  her  we  expefl  the  qualities,  that 
pleafe,  footh  and  enliven.  Unfortunately  they,  who 
think  ihemfelves  in  pofTeflion  of  this  weapon,  arebran- 
di/liing  it  iudifcrhninately  on  all  occafions,  fo  as  fome- 
times  to  wound  their  very  nearejl  friends.  If  you  could 
really  fay  the /w^r/^  things,  you  might  bey?^r^^,  but 
you  never  would  be  loved. 

The  ciiriofity  of  women  is  ?i  proverbial  oh]c(\.  of  fatirc, 
and  gives  birth  to  all  that  little  gofliping,  which  I  have 
reprobated.  Never  convince  the  world,  by  an  attention 
to  mere  trifles,  that  you  have  fo  unfurnifhed  a  mind, 
or  fo  little  to  engage  it.  Read  Hayley's  truly  hu- 
morous Eflays  on  Old  Maids,  and  blufli  at  the  praflice. 
Remember  the  fate  of  the  poor  unhappy  fpinfier,  who 
caught  her  death  by  her  immoderate  curiofity. 

You  can  furely  find  infinite  fubjedts  for  the  entertain- 
ment of  an  huTf  without  de/cending  to  thefe  liltle  things. 
If  you  cannoiy  it  is  high  time  to  give  up  (what  is  only 
called)  an  amufement,  for  that,  which  is  a  real  one,  a 
v^alk,  a  ride,  a  book,  a  garden,  or  the  foclety  of  a 
chofen  friend. 

It  is  aftonifliing  into  how  many  difficulties  a  woman 
betrays  herfelf,  who  is  fond  of  this  praif^ice;  what 
quarrels,  m i Icon fl ructions,  and  explanations,  what  fc- 
cret  (hyneffes,  averfions,  mifchiefs,  fuch  babblers  create  ; 
what  friends  they  feparate,  and  what  a  badge  of  infamy 
they  fix  upon  themfelves,  in  the  eyes  of  all  the  fenfiblc 
and  the  good  ! 

There  was  a  famous  fchool  amongfl:  the  ancients, 
where  the  pupils  fpent  feveral  years  in  learning  the  very 
neceffary  art  of  ht'xngjilcnt.  Remember,  my  dear  girl, 
that  nature  has  given  you  tnvo  ears,  and  only  one  tongue  ; 
and  that  fcripiure  has  faid,  "  be  fvviftto  hear,  but  How 
to  fpeak." 

Vol.  if.  G 


14  LETTERSTOA 

LETTER        VI. 


c 


ARDS,  which  are  the  infeparable  concomitants 
of  tea  viTits,  and  Introduced  as  foon  as  perfona  are  well 
feated  in  company,  are  a  very  equivocal  pL'afure,  and, 
by  no  means,  to  be  much  recommended.  Little  habits 
iijfenfibly  beget  a  pa'fion  for  them  ;  and  a  paffion  for 
cards,  murders  time,  money,  talents,  undcrRanding, 
every  thing,  that  ia  rational  In  our  nature,  and  every 
thing,  that  is  divine. 

If  experience  did  not  convince  us  of  the  faft,  one 
fhould  never  have  imagined,  that  a  reafonahle  creature 
would  ever  have  been  able  to  confume  hours,  days, 
weeks,  months,  years,  in  counting  over  the^black  and 
red  fpots  upon  paper,  and  childifhly  to  quarrel  about 
their  fuccefs — a  creature,  who  has  an  underftanding, 
that  is  capable  of  Improvement,  to  an  infinite  degree  ! 
a  creature,  living  in  a  world,  where  knowledge  is  im- 
menfe,  and  every  flower  or  flirub  a  fubjeft  of  aftonifli- 
ment — \vhohas  a  temper,  that  requires  continual  watch- 
fulnefs ;  a  foul  that  needs  unremitting  cultivation; 
perhaps  children,  that  call  for  inceffant  inftrudion  ; 
amidll  objects  of  diilrefs,  for  which  heaven  begs  each 
fuperfluous  penny,  and  in  a  body,  that  may,  any  viO' 
7?icnt,  drop  into  the  grave  ! 

1  will  advv^rt,  no  longer,  on  the  wcr^j/confcquencea. 
A  woman,  who  has  a  wifh  only  to  pleafe,  fhould  not  be 
much  addided  to  this  praftice.  It  is  very  apt  to  ruffle 
the  temper,  and  difcompop  tki  features  ;  and  a  four  or 
an  angry  look  is  more  deftruftive  to  female  charms, 
than  an  high  fcorbutic  flufli,  or  the  fmallpox. 

It  is  faid  in  favour  of  cards,  that  they  prevent  fcandal, 
and  area  fubllitute  to  many,  for  the  want  of  converfa- 
tion.  This  conveys  a  fevare  ftigma  both  on  our  hearts 
and  underftanding.  It  fuppofes,  that  we  have  few 
ftores  of  entertainment  nvithiti  ourfclves  ;  and  that  the 
only  way  to  avoid  a^r«f^^<?r  crime,  is  to  fall  into  a  Icfs. 
Our  moments,  I  fear,  will  not  bear  the  fcrutiny  of  con- 
confclence  or  rcafon,  much  lefs  of  the  great  day,  if  we 


YOUNGLADY,  i^ 

cannot  contrive  to  fpend  them  in  an  innocent  and 
ufeful  manner,  without  the  loiu  refource  of  ^xihtv /can- 
da  I  or  play  ! 


LETTER        Vll. 


T> 


H  E  defenders  of  cards,  however,  will  fay  nothinpj 
in  favour  o^  gaming,  iVo  fortune,  they  know,  is  equal 
to  its  extravagant  demands.  An  unlucky  throw  lofes 
thoufands  in  a  moment.  It  has  reduced  the  mofl;  opu- 
lent families  to  indigence  ;  it  has  led  fome  to  forgery, 
and  an  ignominious  death;  others,  vvhofe  pride  would 
not  brook  the  degradation^  to  the  fatal  a£^  of  fuicide  ; 
at  bed  it  has  plunged  into  poverty  and  diftrefs,  many 
heirs  of  honourable  and  illullrious  houfes,  who  were 
born,  \nd\\  apl^earance  \.o  happier  d^yi. 

Your  moderate  cdLvd  players  (as  they  call  themfelvcs,) 
have  often  wondered,  what  can  tempt  people  of  for- 
to  fuch  a  dreadful  and  ruinous  amufemenr,  as  that  of 
gaming.  I  will  venture  to  fay,  that  this  (hocking  prac- 
tice is  nothing  more,  than  the  fpirit  of  card  playing, 
carried  to  its  extreme;  that  equal  temptations  would 
probably  have  led  them  to  the  very  fame  imprudence  ; 
that  they  both, generally,  origiuate  in  the  fame  principle, 
(the  want  of  fomething  fubllantial  to  fill  and  exercife 
the  mind,)  and  are  only  an  artificial  method  of  deftroy- 
ing  that  ennut  and  languor,  which  are  the  mod  iiifup- 
portable  feelings  of  human  life  ;  and  thac  the  cure  of 
hth  murt,  equally, fpring  from  folid  knowledge  and  from 
foiid  virtue. 

Though  gaming,  at^f^y?,  riCes,  from  ro  wo:  fe  a  princi- 
ple, than  a  want  of  amufement,  or  of  having  fomething 
to  call  the  pafilons  Into  excercife,  yet,  in  \\7>couJeqiiences 
it  has  a  tendency  to  eradicate  every  religious  and  moral 
difpofilion,  every  focial  duty,,  every  laudable  and  vir- 
tuous afftdion.  It  renders  the  'sxivad  felfijh  in  the  ex- 
treme, and  callous  to  the  touch  of  woe,  in  every  fliape  ; 
whild  it  ilops  up  the j/u/ccs  of  charity,  It  extinguiflies  the 
inclination  for  it  ;   it  is  deaf  to  every  call  of  friendfhip 

G2 


i6  LETTERSTOA 

or  of  prudence.  There  can  be  no  fuch  thing,  as  aR 
attentive  parent,  mother,  wife,  brother,  filler  or  a 
fympathizing  heart,  where  this  infernal  rage  has  taken 
pofleffion  of  the  foul.  Every  thing  elfe  is  fwallowed 
up  in  the  all- devouring  vortex.  A  gameftcr  would  (lake 
the  lad  thoufand  on  a  throw,  though  a  prifon  for  her 
hufjandy  rags  for  her  ckildrcriy  or  a  galloivs  for  her  near- 
tiXfriendf   were  the  melancholy  profpeft  ! 

If  you  di(believe  //// rcafoning,  look  into  life.  What 
cfFedls  has  this  paffion  gradually  produced  on  women, 
who  had  once  hearts  full  of  tendernefs  and  virtue,  and 
were  affedled  with  every  appearance  of  diftrefs  ;  who  had 
from  ?iature,  every  retinement  of  tafte,  and  every  ele- 
gance of  manners  to  captivate  and  charm  ? 

If  it  were  not  invidious,  I  could  produce  many  livitig 
charaders  to  fupport  my  aflertiono.  They  would  make 
a  difmal  pidlure,  and  the  7?iotto  would  be,  "beware  of 
beginnings." 

Though  I  abhor  novels,  yet,  perhaps,  the  celebrated 
one  of  Cecilia  is  worth  reading,  if  it  was  only  to  guard 
our  fafliionable  ladies  from  fplitting  on  the  dreadful 
rock  of  the  Harrels.  Many  charafters,  in  that  book, 
are  overftrained  ;  but  //;//  is  borrowed  from  real  life, 
and  daily  obfervation. 


LETTER         VIII. 


L 


AY  down  a  little  plan  for  yourfelf,  and  all  your 
ftudies,  exercifes  and  employments  will  be  eafy  and 
pradlicable.  You  will  have  time  for  every  thing  !  and 
you  will  never  feem  in  a  hurry  or  eviharrajjed. 

Order  is  the  firfl  law  of  nature,  and  of  nature's  God. 
The  moon,  ilars  and  tides  vary  not  a  moment,  and  the 
fun  knoweth  the  **  hour  of  its  going  down.*' 

Without  order,  a  thoufand  things  will  be  improperly 
delayed,  or  wholly  neglcAcd.  Whllft  we  are  hefita- 
ting  where  to  hegiti^  or  'what  to  do,  hours  fly  away,  in- 
fcnjiblyi  never  to  return  ! 

If  every  thing  knows  Its  place,  you  will  efcape  the 


YOUNGLADY.  17 

lofs  of  many,  valuable  moments,  and  the  anxiety  of  as 
many  unprofitable  fcarches.  ExaSlnefs  is,  by  no  means, 
the  tiecejfary  appendage  of  an  old  maid. 

Order  is  the  very  parent  of  tranqallHty.  A  pcrfon 
is  always  eafy,  whofe  affairs  are,  always,  in  a  regular 
arrangement.  At  the  fame  time,  let  the  uieckamj'in  of 
your  procefs  be  invifihle.  The  perfedlion  of  art,  you 
know,   is  to  conceal  it. 

Be  always  ready  to  receive  your  friends  with  an  open 
countenance,  and  a  cheerful  heart.  Society  and  con- 
nexion have  claims  upon  us,  to  which  we  (hould  facrifice 
tv^vy  Jeljijl?  confideration. 

If  you  are  an  early  rifer^  you  may  find  time  for  every 
thing.  It  is  amazing  how  much  is  gained  by  lopping 
off  an  hour  or  two,  from  indulgence  in  the  inorning. 
Nor  is  the  mere  favlng  of  time  the  only  advantage. 
Our  fpirits  are  more  lively,  and  our  faculties  are  more 
awake. 

I  do  not  know  a  pra6\ice,  which  I  fliould  more  re- 
commend, whether  devotion,  health,  beauty,  or  im- 
provement of  the  mind,  were  the  objects  in  view.  How- 
cheerful  and  how  animated  are  the  meditations  of  the 
morning!  What  a  delightful  bloom  Oufhcs  into  the 
cheeks  from  its  balmy  eKhalations  !  What  an  tinfpcak- 
able  clieerfuinefs  glides  into  the  ioul  from  hearing  the 
devotional  matins  of  the  lark,  and  from  beholding  the 
new-born  fcenery  of  nature  !  How  ncceflavy  is  fuch  a 
regimen  to  preferve  that  fweetnefs  of  complexion,  and 
of  breath,  which  are  the  very  efTence  and  perfume  of 
beauty  !  When  people  think  of  accounting  to  God 
for  the  talents,  they  have  received,  they  ovtrrlook  the 
hours,  which  are  loft  in  morning  floth,  and  unrsafonahU 
indulgence. 

1  have  inured  myfelf,  for  many  years,  to  this  habit 
of  early  rifing.  In  the  fprlng  months  of  April  and 
May,  particularly,  1  grudge  every  moment  that  is 
wafled  after  five.  I  confider  it  as  a  rude  negledl  of  all 
thofe  fweets,  which  opened  to  falute  me.  And  I  al- 
ways find  fo  much  more  deducted  from  the  firmncfs  of 
my  health,  and  the  vigour  of  my  underftanding. 

G3 


j8  l  e  t  t  e  r  s   t  o   a 


LETTER         IX. 


I 


HAVE  Indeed,  as  you  fay,  frequently  dwelt  with 

pleafiire  on  Mifs  Louifa  — ,  and   do   think   her  a 

charming  woman.  She  always  ft  ruck  me  as  pofTefTmg, 
in  a  fuperior  degree,  thofc  qualities,  which  conftitutc 
\hc graceful  and  attra^ihe,  and  therefore  as  a  very  pro- 
per pattern  to  all  young  people.  Not  that  I  think  a 
fesvile  imitation  of  any  original,  however  excellent, 
would  render  another  pleafing.  Nature  no  more  iutcnded 
any  two  perfons  to  have  precifely  the  fame  inamisr^  than 
tie  firne  eyes,  or  features,  or  complexion.  But  ftill  a 
faiK'iliar  intimacy  with  fuch  a  woman  muft  injenfthly 
communicate  fome  traits  of  refemblance,  which  by  in- 
corporating with  the  general  mafs  of  a  charadler,  will 
form  a  beautiful  and  confiftent  whole. 

Though  I  have  always  admired  her  only  in  the  ^ro/r, 
and  was  charmied,  without  confidering  the  conftituer.t 
principles  of  her  excellence,  I  will,  as  you  requefl  it, 
endeavour  to  analyze  and  trace  them  to  their  fouice. 

Her  perfon  is  rather  genteely  than  beautiful,  fo  that 
fhe  is  more  indebted  to  herfelf,  than  to  nature,  for  her 
attraftions.  And  a  wonderful  energy  indeed  they  have. 
For  1-have  often  feen  this  girl,  fteal  the  notice  of  the 
vhole  company  from  others  of  her  fex,  who  were 
infinitely  more  dillinguifhed  by  the  beauty  of  their 
perfons,  as  well  as  the  advantage  of  birth  and  fortune. 

The  grsund  ivork  of  all  her  charms,  is,  (what  lean- 
not  call  by  a  better  name,  than  that  of)  fimplicity  ;  an 
artlefs,  undcfigning,  unjludied  manner,  flowing  from 
an  innocent  and  virtuous  heart,  which  never  fecks  con- 
cealnienfy  as  having  indeed  nothing  to  conceal.  Louifa 
never  afft6l8  to  be  any  thing,  but  what  ftie  /"/.  She 
does  not  exalt  herfelf  above  meafure,  nor  ever  ridicu- 
loufly  degrades  herfelf,  in  order  to  be  exalted.  Her 
gellures,  attitude,  voice,  pronunciation,  are  all  under 
the  immediate  imprefiion  and  guidance  of  nature, 
Louifa  exprefcs  an  innocent  pleafure,  bccaufe   fhe  feels 


YOUNGLADY.  19 

It,  in  the  company  of  fenfible  and  agreeable  men,  and 
yet  never  feeks  it  with  an  improper  avidity.  She  never 
harrangues  upon,  or  vaunts  a/i^/xfr/c/r  fenfibility,  but 
frequently  difplays  no  inconfiderahle  (hare  of  it,  by  in- 
voluntary  emotions.  She  never,  in  any  refpeft,  affeAs 
connexions,  appearance  or  any  thing  above  her  fortune, 
nor  endeavours  to  fliine  at  the  expence  of  others. 

This,  though  very  imperfcftly  defcribed,  is,  accord- 
ing to  my  idea,  the  fitft  excellence  in  the  charadler  of 
this  lady.  It  is  the  very  reverfe  of  that  abfurd  affec- 
tation, which,  by  affuming  a  thoufand, /-^7;c;//?^/ fhapes, 
renders  graces  unlovely,  and  even  beauty  difgufting. 
Louifa  charms  every  ptrfon,  bccaufe  (he  Is  ah:>ayi  ami- 
able and  obliging,  without  Jludy'mg  to  charm.  Her 
face  is  always  welcome  in  company,  though  (lie  throws 
no  artificial  lightning  into  her  eyes,  foftnefs  into  her 
features,   nor  lifting  into  her  articulation. 

The  common  fyfiematic  education  of  girls  is  unfa- 
vourable to  this  fimplicity.  The  tendency  of  viodern 
culture  is  to  ralfe  art,  upon  the  ruins  of  nature.  Such 
a  method  would  not  fucceed  in  any  thing  elfct  and  how 
fhould  it  In  the  treatment  of  women  ?  If  there  be  one 
objeft  In  the  world,  more  difgufling  than  all  others,  it 
Is  a  girl,  whom  nature  formed  to  be  innocent  and  art- 
lijfs,  reducing   affe<5tation  and  difguife  to  2.  {yflevu 

It  Is  with  fimplicity  of  manner,  as  it  Is  with  eafe  of 
fiyle,  in  a  writer.  When  we  read  his  works,  it  ap- 
pears the  mod  eafy  attainment  imaginable  ;  but,  in 
fa6^,  nothing  is  fo  uncojnmon^  either  in  conduft  or  In 
writings.  And  the  reafon  mud  be,  that,  inftead  of 
attending  to  the  guidance  of  nature,  people  make  an 
extraordinary  effort  to  be  fomething  ^orrcf^/,  or  fuperi^r, 
and  uncommon.  Simplicity  may  be  (iylcd  the  eafy  and 
the  graceful  negligence  of  condudl  ;  yet,  as  in  drefs,  It 
charms  more  than  the  moft  elaborate  ornaments. 

Through  all  the  wonderful  works  of  God,  there  is  a 
majeftic  fimplicity.  Nature  knows  no  affe^ation. 
Her  profpedts,  hills,  vallies,  alcoves,  grottos  are  all 
unftudied  ;  her  magnificence  Is  wild  and  artlefs.  There 
is  a  fimplicity  of  defign  and  effedl  In  all  her  wonders, 
in  the  conflrudtion   and   revolution   of  planets,  In  the 

G4 


20  LETTERSTOA 

flow  and  ebbing  of  the  tides,  and  in  the  vomiting  of 
immenfe  volcanos.  The  carnation  never  alms  at  the 
iUtely  magnificence  of  the  oftentatlous  hoary  oak. — 
Every  rofe  is  content  with  Its  own  natural  hues  and 
odours;  and  affeds  not  the  elegant  fweetnefs  of  the 
Refeda,    (minionettf .) 

Nature  is  the  ftaudard  of  perfeH'ton.  Every  cha- 
racter and  every  art  Is  only  fo  far  finifhcd,  as  it  ap- 
proaches to  her  llkcnefs.  No  paintings  are  beautiful 
without  this  ground- work  o{  Jimplicity.  It  charms  in 
a  Corregglo.  It  was  the  excellence  of  a  Raphael.  It 
lives   in  the  exquifite  touches   of  a  Reynolds. 

The  beauty  of  all  <wrtting  is  founded  in  limpllclty. 
It  was  with  Homer,  Virgil  and  Milton,  when  ihcy 
Iketched  out  their  inimitable  poems.  Of  Shakefpeare 
it  was  the  very  foul.  Statuaries,  fculptors,  architects, 
have  only  gained  an  extenfive  reputation,  in  proportion 
as  they  have  ftudied  this  divine  fimplicity. 

No  woman  can  be  graceful  without  it.  It  will  go 
further,  in  the  art  of  pleafing,  without  any  accomplifh- 
wiiriU&,  than  tf//the  accomplifliraents  will  go,  without  it. 


LETTER 


A. 


_  NOT  HE  R  ftriking  quality  in  Loulfa,  Is  her 
conftant  chcerfuhiefs.  Though  few  women  in  the  world 
are  more  ferious  or  thoughtful,  where  any /o/;V  duties 
are  concerned,  where  the  health,  peace,  comfort,  con- 
venience of  her  friends  and  parents,  or  any  dcmejiic  at- 
tentions are  at  (take,  and  though  flie  Is  pofleired  of 
fuch  an  exquifite  fenfibillty,  as  is  apt  to  produce  au 
unevennefs  of  fplrlts  ;  yet,  whenever  I  fee  this  lovely 
girl,  fhe  always  beguiles  me  into  a  temporary  cheerful- 
nefs,  by  the  force  of  her  own.  This  gaiety  of  heart, 
equally  removed  from  a  thoughtlefs  levity  or  a  moping 
gloom,  is  a  moft  defirable  quality  in  women.  Men  arc 
perplexed  with  various  anxieties  of  bufinefs  and  ambi- 
tion, and  are  naturally  more  thoughtful,  profound,  and 
melancholy  ;  women  certainly  were  formed  \.q  footh  and 


YOUNGLADY.  21 

to  enliven.  It  is  one  of  the  grcateft  bleflings  we  derive 
from  their  fociet)',  and  from  the  mod  facred  of  all  con- 
nexions. 

Checrfulnefs  (faith  the  wife  man)  doeth  good,  like 
a  medicine.  It  has  a  wonderful  effecft  on  all  the  finer 
organs  of  the  body.  If  it  was  not  for  little  innocent 
failles  of  this  kind,  it  would  be  impoflible  to  bear  fc- 
vere  application.  The  year  would  be  infupportable,  if 
it  was  wholly  compofed  of  the  dark  and  gloomy  days  of 
November. 

There  are  many  unavoiJahlc  ills,  ficknefles  and  mis- 
fortunes in  human  life,  which  will  come  uncalled  x^o  de- 
jcdl  our  fpirits,  and  poifon  our  vepofe  ;  but  we  fliould 
not  anticipate  them  by  gloomy  apprehenfions,  nor  ever 
fuffer  an  unneceljary  melancholy  to  fit  upon  our  looks. 
It  is  the  truefl  policy  to  be  innocently  gay  and  cheerful, 
whilll:  we  can.  It  forbids  the  approach  of  wrinkles, 
and  adds  many  years  to  the  little  fleeting  fpan  of  human 
life.  Some  pletifts  have  encouraged  gloom  by  their 
erroneous  notions  of  the  Deity,  and  of  chrifllan  felf» 
denial.  But  I  fliould  ftrongly  fufpcfl  their  goodnefs, 
or  their  judgment.  If  ^a;;'  thing  can  make  a  perfon 
truly  cheerful,  it  fhould  be  2, good  co7ifcience.  And  true 
religion  is  doubly  charming,   when  it  wtars  ?>,  Jmile. 

A  melancholy  countenance  is,  by  no  means,  feminine. 
It  is  as  remote  from  the  true  point  of  graceful nefe,  ia 
the  fex,  as  ill-natured  wit,  or  Ironical  pertnefs. 


LETTER        XL 

X  HOUGH  Lv)ulfa  is  the  moft  remote  from 
prudery,  of  any  woman  I  know,  eafy  and  accelTible  to 
the  other  fex,  anJ  cheerful,  lively  and  ujiconjirained,  \\\ 
her  converfation  with  them,  yet  ihe  has  really  fo  great 
a  fliare  of  true,  female  delicacy,  that  the  moil  licentious 
man  living  would  not  dare  to  ufe  a  double  entendre  in 
her  company,  or  give  the  converfatlon  an  improper 
turn.  Nor  Is  it,  that  fhe  has  reduced  rules  of  proptldy 
10  a  fyftem.     She  has  roally  a  ?iative  h^Wu^,  which  vi- 


22  LETTERSTOA 

brates  lo  the  rood  diftant  touch  of  what  is  proper  and 
becoming,  and  would  tremble,  like  the  fenfitivc  plant, 
>vhcrc  any  thing,  that  could  (lain  the  delicacy  of  her 
7f:ifidi   was  conveytd  in  the  mod  dillant  allufion. 

Fafliionable  manners  have  been  long  attempting  to 
banilh  delicacy,  as  a  fort  of  incuvihrance ;  but  no  wo- 
man will  ever  long  be  lovely  without  it.  Let  France  or 
]caly  do  what,  they  will,  it  is  that  facred  fence,  which 
is  never  broken  down,  without  melancholy  confequen- 
ces.  Delicacy  is  a  very  general  and  comprehen/we  qua- 
lity. It  extends  to  every  thing,  where  woman  is  con- 
cerned. Converfation,  books,  pidturcs,  attitude,  gef- 
ture,  pronunciation,  fhould  all  be  under  its  falutary  rc- 
ilrsints.  If  a  girl  ever  lofes  it,  farewd,  a  long  farc- 
wel  to  all  her  greatnefs  !  If  this  "  fait  have  loll  its  fa- 
vour, wherewith  fhall  it  be  feafoned  :" 

How  unfit  are  many  parents  to  educate  a  daughter  ! 
What  injudicious  pleafantries  do  they  fometimes  ufe, 
even  in  their  prefence  !  A  girl  fhould  hear,  flie  fhould 
/ir,  nothing,  that  can  call  forth  a  blufli,  or  even  ftain 
the  purity  of  her  mind. 

Another  dijiinguijljing  grace  of  Louifa,  is  foftncfs. 
She  is  (what  nature  intended  her  to  be,)  wholly  a  wo- 
man. She  has  a  quality,  that  is  the  diredl  oppofite  to 
manlinejs  and  vigour.  Her  voice  is  gentle  ;  her  pronun- 
ciation delicate  ;  her  palTions  are  never  fuffered  to  be 
hoijiercus  :  fhe  never  talks  politics  :  fhe  never  foams 
Avith  anger  :  fhe  is  feldom  feen  in  any  7najculine  amiife- 
ments  :  fhe  does  not  praftice  archery,  I  will  venture 
to  prophefy,  that  flie  will  never  canvafs  for  votes  at  an 
eledlion.  1  never  faw  her  in  an  uufc;?:ifiijic  drtU,  or  her 
features,  difcompofed  with  play.  She  really  trembles 
with  the  apprehenfion  of  danger.  She  feels,  unaffecledly-i 
for  every  ptrfon,  expofed  to  it.  A  friend,  leaving  her 
father's  houfe,  only  for  a  fhort  time,  calls  forth  her 
concern.  Tiie  farewel  tear  flands  big  in  its  tranfparent 
fluice.  And  whenever  he  returns,  the  eafy,  urjijjem- 
bled  fmile  teflifies  her  joy.  She  difplays  more  fympalhy 
for  the  indifpofition  of  a  fervanty  tlian  fome  do  for  tlie 
death  of  their  nearcft  friends. 

Of  all  the  women  1  ever  faw,   Louifa   has  the  rjioft 
iiniverfal  and  indifcrirainate  affability.     She  never  meets 


Y  O  U  N  G     L  A  D  Y.  23 

any  poor  perfons  in  her  neighbourhood,  without  enter- 
ing into  a  very  minute  inquiry  about  the  health  of  their 
children,  family  and  friends  ;  and  the  villagers  revere 
her.  They  know  that  (he  is  conitantly  planning  for 
them  fome  afiiftance  and  relief. 

Litth  minds  endeavour  to  fupport  a  confequence  by 
dijlance  and  hauteur.  But  tliis  is  a  miftake.  True 
dignity  aiifes  from  condefcenfion,  and  is  fupported  by 
noble  a6tIons. 

Supci  cilioufnefs  Is  almoft  a  certain  mark  of  low  birth, 
and  ill  breeding.  People,  who  have  jutt  emerged  into 
greatnefs,  think  it  neceflary  to  maintain  their  fuperi- 
orlly  by  a  proud  look  and  an  high  (lomach.  The  con- 
fequence \%  ge7ieral  hatred  and  contempt. 

In  fadl  this  proud,  high-hearing  rcferve,  is  a  very  great 
criv:e.  Every  perfon,  that  bears  the  image  of  his 
Maker,  is  entitled  to  our  attentions,  and  indeed  our 
benevolence.  Inferiority  is,  of  itjclf,  a  fufficient  bur- 
den, without  our  endeavouring  to  aggravate  it  by  ill- 
nature  or  negltft. 

1  have  often  heard  Louifa  dwtH,  with  rapture,  on 
the  entertainment  and  edification  (he  has  received  in  many 
cottages  when  (he  has  been  carrying  clothing,  cordials 
or  money  to  the  diilrtfied  inhabitants  ;  and  tell  me 
which  is  the  more  dignified  character  ;  a  woman,  who 
would  turn  from  her  poor  neighbours  with  dlfJain,  or 
one,  who  for  her  kindncfs  aiid  attention  to  them,  is 
praifed,  as  often  as  her  name  is  mentioned,  and  fol- 
lowed, vvhitherfocver  (lie  moveth,  v.ith  their  tears  and 
with   their  bklT.ngs  : 

There  is  not  a  greater  charm  in  any  charader,  than 
fuch  a  ccndcfceji/ion,  A  woman,  thus  forgetting  all  her 
diftlnflions,  to  fympalhizc  with  the  unfortunate,  muft 
captivate  every  man,  who  has  either  a  fmgle  grain  of 
])ieiy  or  underflanding.  Even  the  plaineji  face  would 
be  forgotten  in  fuch  real  and  unaffeded  goodnefs. 

The  inanvcr  of  l^oxnhfnijljes  her  charad^ter.  It  is  a 
beautiful  bordering  to  all  hsr  graces  and  her  virtues.  It 
13  impofiible  for  me  to  define,  (what  I  mean  bV))  man- 
ner ;  ytt  noonec.in  be  half  an  hoiir  in  the  company  of 
this  lady,  without  fctling  its  aftunil'hing  effects.  'I'hcugh 
fhc  frequeully  fays  noihin?,  bui  what  t:iight  have  drop- 


24  LETTERS     TO     A 

ped  from  any  other  perfon,  yet  in  her  it  becomes  fo  very 
intereiling,  as  to  command  attention,  and  even  to  de- 
light. She  embellishes,  in  a  wonderful  manner,  a  look, 
a  gefture,  an  attitude — nay  even  lilence  itlelf.  She 
confers  a  grace  on  the  moft  covnnon  civility.  She 
heightens  every  favour  by  the  ;/;:;j'<?  of  doing  it,  and  (he 
obliges,  almoft,  by  refulal. 

The  belt  definition  I  can  give  of  this  quality  muft  be 
imperfe6t.  I  fliould  call  it,  however,  a  quick  difcern- 
ment  of  what  is  graceful,  diredled  by  an  exquifite  fen- 
fibility,  and  faying  in  an  inftant,  to  airs,  geftures,  fea- 
tures, looks,  come  with  correfponding  eneigy,  and  they 
**  come."  No  rules  can  be  laid  down  for  its  attainment. 
Nature  mud  have  been  propitious,  where  it  is  feen  in 
any  high  perfection. 

Manner  is  more  engaging,  than  the  mod  finlfhed 
beauty.  The  latter  is  an  agreeable  profpeft,  that  foon 
grows  infipid,  and  fatigues  by  uniformity.  The  firft  is 
a  continual  change  of  country,  with  landfcapes  ever 
Hew,  interefting  and  delicious. 


LETTER        XIL 


T 


HE  father  of  Louifa  is  one  of  the  mofl:  worthy 

clergymen  1  ever  knew,  and  has  long  lived  in  my  elleem. 
He  married,  early  in  life,  a  woman  of  conliderable 
beauty  and  fortune,  but  infinitely  more  diftlnguiflied  by 
\\tx piety  and  underjianding.  He  has  learning  and  good- 
nefs  enough  to  have  graced  the  highcil  ftations  in  the 
church  ;  but  he  fuffers  not  ambition  to  difturb  hi^  tran- 
quillity, and  prefers  the  filent  pleafures  of  retirement 
to  all  the  pomp  and  fplcndour  of  a  court.    He  is  redor 

of  a  fmail  parilh  in  the  county  of _,  and  hasfuch 

a  paltoral  tendernefs  and  affection  for  his  flock  that  I 
do  not  think  he  would  be  tempted  to  leave  them  for 
any  temporal  confiderations  whatfoevcr.  *'  I  would 
*»  not  rehgn  (he  has  frequently  faid  to  me)  th^  frag- 
"  rant  fhrubs  and  plants  that  encircle  this  little  cot  for 
**  the  moll  enviable  promotions  ;  nor  ihould  the  tumults 
«'  and  anxieties  pf  the  hfgheft  ftation  deprive  me  of 


YOUNGLADY.  25 

•*  thofe  domeflic  endearments,  which  after  all  its  be- 
*'  witching  gaiety  and  bultle,  arc  the  only  real  fweet- 
**  ners  of  life.  What  could  equal  the  heart-felt  joys 
**  I  derive  from  the  fond  and  tvcx  gronving  attachment 
**  of  my  Harriet,  or  the  pleafure  of  watching  the 
**  continually  expar.ding  graces  and  improvement  of  my 
»*  lovely  girl  ?" 

It  has,  long,  been  my  private  opinion,  that  a  good 
clergyman  is  more  likely  to  have  a  dutiful  and  affec- 
tionate family,  than  a  perfon  of  almoft  any  other  cha- 
rader.  And  I  am  not  a  little  contiimed  in  it  by  the 
inftance  before  us. 

Whoever  fees  this  happy  pair,  it-  delighted  with  that 
mutual  elleem  and  fondnefs,  which  revolving  years  have 
not  been  able  to  dimiiifh,  but  only  to  mature  ;  and 
mufl  form  a  very  high  idea  of  that  union,  which  the 
licentious  ov\\y  endeavour  to  ridicule,  becaule  they  have 
not  tafte  and  inmu  er.ce  enough  for  its  unpurchafedy  and 
refined  fweets.  I  have  lately  fpent  a  few  days  with  this 
amiable  group,  and  returned,  quite  dlfguited  with  my 
own  (ituation.  It  appeared,  vncoxumoiAy /c/llary  and 
injipid,  I  began  to  blame  my  books,  as  the  obftacle 
of  my  felicity,  and  to  alk  philofophy  and  cold-iiearted 
prudence,  what  joy  they  had  to  boaft,  if  compared 
with  thefe  natural  tranfports  of  the  foul. 

Fortunately  for  my  friend,  a  comfortable,  paternal 
fortune,  in  conjnndlion  with  that,  which  he  received 
with  his  lady,  has  placed  him  in  very  eafy,  and  rather 
affluent,  circumrtances.  Providence  has  crowned  their 
virtuous  friendfhip  only  with  Louifa  ;  but  indeed,  in 
her  alone,  has  rained  down  a  projujwn  of  its  blelfings. 
In  her,  i!i<;ircfore,  all  their  cares  and  anxieties  concen- 
ter; aiid  her  education,  you  may  well  fuppofe,  has  not 
been  neglected. 

Her  parents  are  both  averfe  to  boarding  fchools,  as 
infpiring  a  young  perfon  with  improper  notions,  and 
undermining  the  tafte  for  pure  fimplicity  and  domeftic 
worth.  She  has,  therefore,  been  always  kept  under 
their  own,  immediate  infpe<3:ion  ;  but  her  hours  are  as 
Urid\ly  arranged,  as  they  could  have  been,  at  any 
fchool,  into  a  regular  plan  of  eniploymcnt.  She  has 
alioLtcd   iulervals  for   domeflic    duties,    needlc-worii, 


26  L  E  T  T  E  R  S     T  O     A 

reading,  coirefpondence,   cxercife  and  recreation  ;   and 
every  hour  knows  its  pavticular  engagement. 

She  opens  every  mo  iilng,  and  clofes  everyday  with 
an  hymn  of  praife  to  her  bountiful  Creator,  which  is 
chanted  to  the  Iiarpfichord,  wlih  fo  fwect  a  voice,  as  I 
cannot  even  at  this  dillance  of  time,  rccolledt  without 
emotion. 

If  you  faw  the  heautlM  fancj-nvcrk,  \vl\ich  has  been 
wrought  by  ihiB  girl,  in  carpets,  baflccts  of  flowers, 
embroidery,  Sec.  you  would  imagine,  that  flie  could 
have  but  little  leifurc  for  the  improvement  of  her  nn- 
derllanding.  But  a  (Irid  economy  of  time,  an  invariable 
adherence  to  order,  and  an  habit  of  early  rifing  have 
enabled  her  to  do  wonders.  Her  father  fuperintends 
that  part  of  her  education,  which  is  conne(?ted  with 
books;  and  has  fuch  an  happy  method  of  conveying 
his  ideas  as  wonderfully  mixes  inilrudion  with  de- 
light. 

Natural  hiftory  and  botany,  on  fine  days,  they  ftudy 
\w\\\t  fields }  and  when  the  weather  is  lefs  favourable, 
fhe  has  fuch  a  collection  of  animals,  infeds,  and  other 
curiofities  as  would  adorn  the  mufeum  of  a  connoiffeur. 
This  is  called  her  grotto  ;  and  is  placed  in  a  fhady  part 
of  the  garden,  over-arched  with  an  alcove  of  entwin- 
ed elms. 

Hiftory,  in  the  hands  of  her  able  inftruftor,  becomes 
a  fund  of  unfpeakable  improvement.  When  events  are 
recorded,  flie  is  aflced  what  caufes  gave  them  birth  ; 
what  injlruments  were  made  ufe  of  for  their  completion, 
and  what  traces  fhe  can  difcover,  of  a  wonderful  and 
an  all-wife  Providence,  governing  the  whole. 

Geography  and  chronology  are  infeparable  guides 
confuUed  on  the  occafion;  and  when  charaflers  are  dcf- 
cribed,  fne  is  interrogated  concerning  the /'/^/yc'-'u/or//^ 
or  the  reprehen/tble,  in  them  ;  where  the  hillorian  has 
been  too  fpari ng  of  his  praife,  or  extolled  beyond  the 
bounds  of  reafon  and  of  truth.  Her  feniiments,  on 
all  thefe  fubjedls,  are  given,  in  her  own  language,  upon 
paper  ;  and  afterwards  corre6~tcd  by  the  mature  judg- 
ment and  critical  talte  of  her  incomparable  tutor. 

On  SundaySi  ftie  prepares  a  concife  abridgment  of 
the  fermon,    which  undergoes  the  fame  rigid  examia- 


Y  O  U  N  G     L  A  D  Y.  27 

tlon  ;  and  flie  has  a  little  volume,  filled  with  fuch  fa- 
cred  reflexions,  as  would  not  diflionour  the  underfland- 
ing,  or  the  repcfitory  of  a  proltffed  divine. 

You  would  fuppole  from  this  account,  that  Louifa 
would  appear  (what  the  world  calls,)  a  very  learyied 
ivoman.  No  fuch  thing.  In  a  vihed  company,  you 
would  not  difcern,  that  flie  pofufTed  i^ny  fuperior  know- 
ledge or  advantage  over  her  fex,  except  in  an  elegant 
mode  of  expreffion.  She  enteis  into  other  people's 
views,  feelings,  inlereib  and  concerns,  with  a  polite- 
X\tU,  that  very  few  poflefs  ;  and  convevfes  with  all  her 
country  neighbours,  o!i  fuch  cafy  terms,  as  banifli  every 
unpLafant  feeling  of  diftanteor  relliaint. 

The  heart  of  llus  lovely  girl  is,  all  os^x  [ympathy  and 
Jojiuefs.  The  big  tear  trembles  in  her  eye,  on  every 
trying  occafion  ;  and  in  her  clofet,  along  with  a  fmall, 
but  well  chofen  colledlion  of  books,  (he  has  a  little 
box,  with  this  infcription,  **  facrtd  to  the  poor."  Into 
ihisi  file  puts,  every  night,  before  fhe  fleeps,  fome- 
thing  to  be  a  fund  for  merit  and  diftiefs.  She  enriches 
it  with  the  favings  flie  has  made,  by  retrenching  fome 
expenfive  articles  of  drefs  or  pleafure.  It  is  filled  with 
money,  that  others  would  have  fpent  on  playp,  concerts 
or  nfTcmblies  ;  and  I  will  venture  to  fay,  that  fhe  has 
infinitely  fweetcr  mufic  in  her  heart,  and  a  more  inno- 
cent, fparkling  brilliance  in  her  tyes,  than  any  of  the 
moft  admired  frequenters  of  ihefe  gay  amufemcnts. 

LETTER        XIII. 


Xj  ROM  Louifa's  flii<5l  confinement  and tJ/F^-za'^/zV 
life  you  would  conclude,  perhaps,  that  ftie  had  almoft 
contiafted  a  difrcli/J?  for  books.  But,  indeed,  it  is  far 
olherwife  ;  her  Itudies  arc  h<ir  plcajure ;  they  are  fo 
judicioufly  mixed  with  entertainment,  and  fo  interwo- 
ven, as  it  were,  wiili  the  common  cafual  occurrences  of 
the  day,  that  flie  confiders  them  more  as  an  aviUjiVitnt^ 
than  a  hujit:cfs.  lie  private  moments,  when  fi.e  is  left 
to  her  own  choice,  are  not  ur.frequcntly  beguiled  with 


28  LETTERSTOA 

the   very   fame  employments,  which  had  cngroffed  the 
other  parts  of  the  day. 

The  garden  is  the  fcene,  where  flie  indulges  all  the 
luxury  of  her  tafte  ;  and  her  rambles  into  it  are  as  fre- 
quent, as  tlie  great  variety  of  her  avocations  will  per- 
mit. One  day,  I  found  her  in  this  retirement.  The 
place  was  very  happily  fancied.  Large  clumps  of  trees, 
onboth  fides,  with  their  intervening  foliage, had  rendered 
it  impervious  to  any  human  eye.  Nature  had  wanton- 
ed with  particular  luxuriance.  A  clear,  tranfparent 
fpring  murmured  through  the  valley.  And  it  was  fenced, 
on  both  fides,  with  a  very  lofty  mound,  call  up  as  on 
purpofe,  and  planted  with  perennial  ftiruhs.  A  fhady 
arbour,  in  the  middle,  catching  through  a  beautiful 
villa,  the  fpire  of  the  village  church,  invited  to  medi- 
tation and  to  repofe.  She  was  reclined  here  rather  in 
a  penfive  attitude,  reading  Burke's  Effays  on  the  Beau- 
tiful and  Sublime  ;  and  to  me  fhe  appeared,  I  muft 
confefs,  more  enchanting,  more  beautiful  and  more 
fublime,  than  the  admired  work  of  that  well  known 
and  admired  author. 

On  another  occafion,  her  mother  being  much  indif- 
pofed,  flie  had  llolen  from  the  domeflic  circle,  to  in- 
dulge, at  leifure,  a  folitary  grief.  The  book  fhe  held 
in  her  hands,  was  Lord  Lyttelton's  Dialogues  of  the 
Dead.  The  foft  melancholy  vifible  in  her  countenance, 
the  very  apparent  agitation  of  her  fpirits,  and  the  grief, 
burfling  through  her  animated  eyes,  formed  a  very  in- 
terefling  whole  ;  whilfl  her  obfervations  on  a  future 
life,  on  the  comfort  flie  derived  from  the  hope  of  con- 
veifing  with  her  friends  after  death  ;  on  the  probable 
nature  and  happinefs  of  heaven,  and  the  permanency 
of  virtuous  friendship  and  affeftion,  would  not  have 
difgraced  any  divine  or  philofopher  of  the  age. 

A  third  time  of  her  elopement,  fhe  was  reading  tlie 
only  novel,  which  fhe  permits  herfelf  to  read,  that  of 
Sir  Charles  Grandifon.  Tears,  like  an  April  fhower, 
tinjred  with  the  fun,  were  mingled  with  her  joy. 

The  book  was  opened,  where  the  once  amiable  Har- 
riet Byron  is  nonu  Lady  Grandifon  ;  where  the  painful 
fufpenfe  of  her  virtues,  though  premature,  attachment, 
is  crowaed  by  an  eternal  union  with  its  objed,  and  fhe 


YOUNGLADY.  29 

is  kneeling  to  her  ever-venerable  grand-mother,  to  im- 
plore a  blefling.  **  Heavens!"  (faid  fhe,)  **  what  an 
*'  exquifite  and  inimitable  painter  was  Richardfon  ! 
**  How  over-whelmed  with  admiration,  efteem  and 
**  felf-annihilation  do  I,  always,  feel  myfelf,  when  I 
**  read  the  defcription  of  his  Harriet  Byron.  So  much 
**  piety,  yet  fo  much  cheerfulnefs  ;  fuch  filial  duty, 
**  tendcrnefs,  afFedion,  fo  exquifite  a  fenfibility  ;  fo 
**  deep  and  glowing  a  paflion,  condu<E\ed  with  fo  much 
**  delicacy  ;  fuch  beauty  of  perfon,  loft  in  fo  much 
*'  greater  fvveetnefs  of  temper,  and  fuch  a  winning 
*'  candour  and  opennefs  of  heart,  complete  my  idea 
*'  of  every  thing  that  is  noble  and  amiable  in  woman. 

'*  1  never  read  this  writer  without  weeping.  He 
**  had  an  amazing  talent  for  the  pathetic  and  defcrip- 
•*  tive.  He  opens  all  the  fluices  of  tendernefs,  and 
**  tears  ^ow  down  our  cheeks  like  a  river.  And  (what 
**  is  m.oft  of  all,)  I  never  open  his  book  without  feel- 
**  ing  my  fentiments  elevated  and  fublimed,  and  my 
**  heart  more  alive  to  all  the  fuggeftions  of  piety  and 
**  virtue.  If  a//  novels  had  been  written  on  fuch  a 
*'  plan,  they  would,  doubtlefs,  have  been  very  exccl- 
*'  lent  vehicles  of  wifdom  and  goodncfs.'' 

The  /a/i  time  I  broke  in  upon  Louifa's  retirement, 
ihe  was/urrounc/eJ  with  authors.  She  feemtd  bent  up- 
on indulging  her  elegant  tafte,  in  all  its  extravagance. 

Addifon's  papers  on  the  Pleafures  of  Imagination  ; 
fevcral  pieces  of  Mifs  Seward  :  Mafon's  Englifli  Gar- 
den ;  Ariofto,  with  Hool's  Tranilatiun,  and  Webb's 
Inquiry  into  the  Beauties  of  Pau.ting,  together  with 
a  Colleftion  of  Poems,  lay,  in  promifcuous  dijTnity, 
befide  her.  She  has  ace 0 Homed  herfelf  to  enter  into  a 
fort  of  common  place  book,  pafiages,  which  Hie  thinks 
particularly  ftriking.  1  am  happy  in  being  able  to 
give  you  a  little  fpecimen  of  her  choice,  for  (he  indul- 
ged  me  with  a  fight  of  the  valuable  manufcript. 

The  fiift,  poetical  rofe  fhe  had  plucked,  was  from 
the  Italian  poet,  Ariofto.  It  was  his  beautiful  pi6^ure 
of  Alcina,  the  enchantrefa.  I  will  tranfcribe  a  few  of 
the  lines,  and  the  tranllation,  though  a  modell  blufli 
tinged  her  cheeks,  whilft  I  read  the  difcription» 


30  LETTERSTOA 

DI  perfona  era  tanto  ben  formata, 
Quanto  me  finger  fan  pittori  induftrf, 
Con  blonda  chioma  lunga  ed  ana<lata  ; 
Oro  non  c,  chc  plu  rlfplenda  e  luftri. 
Spargeafi  per  la  guancia  delicata 
MIflo  color  di  rofe,  e  di  liguftri. 

Her  matchlefs  perfon  every  charm  conibln'd, 
Fam'd  in  th'  idea  of  a  painter's  mind. 
Bound  in  a  knot,  behind  her  ringlets  roli'd 
Down  her  fair  neck,  and  fhone  Ike  waving  gold  ; 
Her  blooming  cheeks  the  blended  lints  difclofe 
Of  lilies,  damaOi'd  with  the  blufhing  rofe,  &c.  &c. 

From  Lord  Lyttelton*s  monody  on  his  lady,  fhehad 
copied  the  following  pathetic  verfes.  Whilft  I  read 
them,  {he  appeared  amazingly  affected. 

O  fhades  of  Hagley,  where  is  now  your  boaft  ? 
Your  bright  inhabitant  is  loft  ; 
Tou  (he  prcferr'd  to  all  the  gay  reforts, 
Where  female  vanity  might  wifh  to  fhine. 
The  pomp  of  cities  and  the  pride  of  courts  : 
Her  modeft  beauties  (hunn'd  the  public  eye  : 
To  your  fequtfter'd  dales, 
And  flow*r-embroider'd  vales, 
From  an  admiring  world  fhe  chofe  to  fly. 
With  nature  there  rctir'd  and  nature's  God, 

The  lilcnt  paths  of  wifdomtrod. 
And  banifh'd  ev'ry  paiTion  from  her  breaft, 

But  thofe,   the  gentled  and  the  beft, 
Whoff  holy  flames,  with  euvfrgy  divine. 
The  virtuous  heart  enliven  and  improve, 
The  cof:jugal  and  the  maternal  love. 

Sweet  babes,  who,  like  the  little,  playful  fawns, 
Were  wont  to  trip  along  thofe  verdant  lawns, 
By  your  delighted  mother's  fide, 
Who  noixj  your  infant  ftsps  fliall  guide  ? 
Ah  !   where  is  now  the  hand,  whofe  tender  care 
To  cv'ry  virtue  would  have  form'd  your  youth, 


YOUNGLADY.  31 

And  {Irew'd  with  flow'rsthethornyvvaysof  truth, 
O  lofs  beyond  repair  ! 
O  wretched  father  left  alone 
To  weep  their  dire  misfortune  and  thy  own  ! 
How  fhall  thy  weakened  mind,  opprefs'd  with  woe, 
And  drooping  o'er  thy  Lucy's  Grave 
Perform  the  duties,  that  you  doubly  owe  ! 
Now  fhe,  alas  !   is  gone 
From  folly  and  from  vice,  their  helplcfs  age  to  fave  ? 

Mrs.  Carter's  celebrated  Ode  to  Wifdom  always 
n^.akes  one  thrill  with  a  mtlancholy  pleafure,  and  it  had 
furnilhcd  l^ouifa  wlih  thefe  bcauli  ul  (lanzas  : 

Thy  breath  infpires  tlie  poet's  fong 
The  patriots  free,  iinbiafs'd  tongue, 

The  hero's  genVous  ft  rife  ; 
Thine  are  retirement's  filent  joys. 
And  all  the  fweet,  endearing  ties 

Of  ftill,  domeftic  life.  ^ 

No  more  to  fabled  names  confln'd 
To  thtc,  fupremc,   all  perfeft  mind. 

My  thoughts  direct  their  flight: 
Wifdorn's  thy  gift,    and  all  her  force 
From  thee  dcriv'd,  unchanglnp-  fource 

Of  intelledual  light. 

O  fend  here  fure,  her  Ready  ray 
To  regulate  my  doubtful  way 

Through  life's  perplexing  road  j 
The  mirts  of  error  to  controul, 
And,   through  its  gloom,  diieclmyfoul 

To  happlnefs  and  good. 

Beneath  her  clear,  difccrning  eye 
The  vifionary  fhadows  fly 

Of  folly's  painted  fhow  ; 
She  fees  through  ev'ry  fair  dlfguife, 
That  all,  but  virtue's  folld  joys 

Ib  vanity  and  woe. 


32  LETTERSTOA 

Mifs  Seward's  poetical  addrcfs  to  Mr.  Wright,  en- 
gaged in  taking  her  father's  pi£liire,  had  fupplied  her 
with  thefc  four  mod  interefting  and  pathetic  lines  j 

O  when  his  *  urn  fhall  drink  my  falling  tears, 
Thy  t  faithful  tints  fhall  fhed  a  foft  relief, 

Glow,   with  mild  luftre,  o'er  mydarken'd  years, 
And  gild  the  gathering  fliades  of  Hlial  grief. 

The  ever  graceful  and  elegant  Fontaine,  fo  juftly 
cfteemed  the  Corregio  of  poetry,  had  fupplied  her  with 
the  fables  of  Le  Chene  et  le  Rofeau,  La  Fille  ;  and 
from  the  theatre  Sur  I*  Education  of  the  ComtefTe  le 
Genlis,   (he  had  ftolen  the  fragrant  rofe  of  Salency. 

From  a  judicious  arrangement  of  thefe  feparate 
fweets,  (lie  had  compofed  a  very  elegant  bouquet  which 
cafts  a  delicious  fragrance  on  her  charafter  and  virtues. 

And  now,  tell  me,  what  think  you  of  Louifa  ?  If  (he 
was  mirried  to  the  firft:  fovereign  of  Europe,  would  fhe 
not  be  the  richeft  jewel  in  his  crown  ? 

LETTER         XIV. 

\,  WILL  now  give  you  another  pidure.  It  Is  that 
of  a  young  lady,  whom  I  have  lately  had  the  honour 
of  feeing,  juft    arrived  from  a   boarding  fchocl.      It    is 

Lady  Harriet .      But  I  will  not  undertake  to 

fay,  that  the  features  will  pkafe  you.  They  are  cer- 
tainly differeint  from  thofe  of  Louifa. 

She  was  almoft  inceflantly  prat^ifiug  little  arts,  and 
adjufliiig  all  her  airs  and  graces  to  engage  admiration. 
When  (he  fpoke,  (lie  minced  her  fyllables,  and  when 
fhe  looked^  (lie  threw  an  unnatural  vivacity  into  her  eyes. 
She  is  a  (ine,  blooming  girl ;  and  if  fhe  had  not  taken 
fuch  uncommon  pains  to  plcafc,  mud  necefTarily  have 
charmed  every  beholder. 

How  long  will  it  be  before  people  learn,  that  nothing 
engages  fo  much,  as  the  eafe  of  nature  ?  An  artlefa 
^Bmplicity  is  the  higheft  charm.     ^\\'aXt\tx  Jiudies  adrai- 

*  Her  Father's.  +  Wright's. 


YOUNG    LADY.  33 

ration,  ralfes  difguft.     Syftem  and  conftraint  deftroy 
eafe.     And  eafe  is  the  parent  of  all  the  graces. 

It  is  the  bufinefsof  education  to  lop  off  fome  little, 
luxuriant  boughs  from  the  tree  of  nature,  but  not  to 
confirain  it,  that  it  cannot  vegetate,  or  give  to  every 
branch,  an  unnatural  diredion.  I  (hould  prefer 
the  plain,  honell  awkwardnefs  of  a  mere,  country  girl, 
to  over-adled  refinement. 

Though  Lady  Harriet is  not  yet  four- 
teen years  old,  fhe  has  more  than  the  airs  and  forward- 
nefs  of  a  woman.  Who  can  have  taught  this  girl, 
that  rofes  are  expelled  to  open  all  at  oucey  and  not  by 
degrees  ? 

Timidity  and  diffidence  are  the  mod  attracting  qua- 
lities of  a  girl  ;  a  countenance  always  modert,  and 
undefigning  ;  a  tongue,  'often  filent,  and  ears,  always 
attentive. 

Boarding  fchools,  it  (hould  feem,  may  be  compared 
to  hot-beds.  They  bring  fruits  and  flowers  quickly  to 
their  growth.  But  they  have  not  their  proper  eflence, 
hcalthinefs  or  flavour. 

The  girltjii  ftate  is  fo  pleafing,  in  itfelf,  that  we  wifli 
not  to  fee  it  exchanged,  before  its  time,  for  the  caution, 
the  artifices,  or  the  fubtil  policy  of  age. 

It  is  defirable,  that  a  girl  fliould  retain,  as  long  as 
poffible,  the  innocent  drefs,  manners,  habit  and  fenli- 
ments  of  childhood.  She  will  never  be  more  captiva- 
ting, when  file  is  a  woman.  Natural,  untortured  ring- 
lets,  fafhes,  frocks,  &c.  are  fuperior  to  all  the  laboured 
trappings  of  fafhion.  Nature  has  given  to  every  age, 
as  well  as  to  every  feafoii  of  the  year,  its  appropriate 
charms.  We  fhould  be  greatly  difappointed,  if  the 
foft  breezes  and  the  pleafing,  new-born  fcenery  of  the 
fpring  were  impatient  to  difiblve  into  the  fultry  heats 
of  fummer. 

Aybroo^rJ  girl  always  alarms  me.  Indelicacy,  im- 
prudence and  Improper  connexions  Hart  up  to  my  v\t^, 
I  tremble  for  her  friends,  and  fee  her  hiftory,  gradually, 
unfolding  into  Indifcretion 

Children  are  apt  enough,  of  themfshes,  to  afpire 
into  womanhood.  A  governefs  fiiould  check  this  fplrit, 
and  nip  it  in  the  bud.     A  long  nonage,  if  I  may  fo  caU 


34  LETTERS     TO     A 

It,  is  favourable  to  your  fex.  During  thif  period,  a 
girl  Is  acquiring  iomt  foliJ  Improvement.  When  fhc 
fancies  herfelf  a  woman,  company,  pleafures  and  con- 
verfiuion  with  the  otiier  ftx,  unhingehtr  mind,  and  bid 
unquiet  thoughts  take  poflcflion  of  her  fancy. 

1  could  difcover  from  thc.converfation  of  Lady  Har- 
riet, that  (he  was  deeply  read  in  novels  and  romances. 
Her  expreflions  were  beyond  nature,  turgid  and  over- 
ftralned,  where  (he  only  wlfhcd  to  convey  a  coinvion 
idea. 

A  volui'ie  would  not  be  fiifficlent  to  cxpofe  the  dan- 
gers of  thefe  books.     They  lead  young  people  into  an 
enchanted  country,  and  open  to  their  view  an  imaginable 
world,  full    of  Inviolable  friendfliips,  attachments,  ec- 
ftacles,  accomplifhments,  prodigies,  and  fuch  vifionary 
joys,  as  never  will  be  realized  In  the  coarfenefs  of  com- 
mon life.     The  romantic   turn,  they  create,  Indlfpofes 
for  every  thing  that    is    rational  or  fubftantlal.     They 
corrupt  all  principle.      Fortitude  they  unnerve,  and  fub- 
ftitute,  in  Its  place,  zjickly  fenlibllity,  that  cannot  re- 
lldi  common    blefiings  or  common  things  ;  that  Is  conti- 
nually wounded  wiili  its  own  fancies,  and  even  "ready 
to  expire  of  a  rofe,  in  aroinatic  pain."     '^Yh.t'w  fentiment 
is  but  a  (ine-fpun  word  for  indelicate  emotions.     Their 
fympathy  and  friendjl?ip  are  often  but  a  fpeclous,  flimfy 
covering  for  criminal  attachments.     Such    falfe,  over- 
drained  Ideas  have  led  many  a  poor  girl  to  ruin.   Under 
the  notion  of  fuperior  refinementy  Jimilarity  of  fouls  and 
involuntary  friendjhipi  (lie    has    gradually  been  fcduced 
from    the   patlis  of  virtue,  to    the  commlflion   of   the 
groflell   crimes.     A  fine,  fplendid   Idea  has  been  ufeJ 
to  palliate  the  dreadful  action.    Se?itiment  has  triumphed 
over  the   vulgar   (hackles    of  confcience,  and  of  every 
foclal  aad  moral  obligailon. 

Plays,  operas,  mafqucrades,  and  all  the  other  fafhion- 
able  pleafures  hav.;  not  half  fo  much  danger  to  young 
people,  as  the  reading  of  thefe  books.  With  them^ 
the  moll  delicate  girl  can  entertain  herfelf,  in  private^ 
without  any  cenfure  ;  and  the  poifon  operates  more  for- 
cibly, becaufv:  unperceived.  The  moll  profligate  villain, 
that  was  bent  on  the  infernal  purpofe  of  feducing  a 
woman,  could  not  wllh  a  fymptora,  more  favourable  to 


YOUNG     LADY.  35 

his  piirpofe,  than  an   imagination,  inflamed    with   the 
rhapfodies  of  novels. 

Lady  H —  betrayed  great  pridet  in  difavowing  any 
acquaintance  with  fome  young  ladies,  at  the  fame  fchool, 
becaufe  their  parents  were  not  equal  to  hers  in  point  of 
fortune.  She  had  formed,  poor  girl,  wrong  notions  of 
importance  ;  and  they  had  not,  it  fhould  item,  been 
properly  corrected. 

Under  the  idea  of  teaching  young  people  what  is  due 
to  their  rank,  boarding  fchools  encourage  pride  ly  a 
fyftem*  Whoever  confults  the  happinefs  of  a  daughter, 
fhould,  as  fyjlematicallyy  endeavour  to  propagate  hu- 
mility. 

Alas  !  my  dear  girl,  what  have  any  of  us  to  boaft 
of?  What  dignity  is  there  in  an  heap  of  money,  uii- 
lefs  it  be  devoted  to  charitable  adlions  ?  To  be  carried 
in  ftate,  to  eat  deliciouJJy,  or  to  fleep  on  donun,  may 
have  fomething  in  it,  to  nvenk  viortalsy  that  elevates 
and  charms  ;  but  to  an  inhabitant  of  heaven,  or  to  fu- 
perior  fpirits,  mud  be  as  frivolous,  as  the  toils  or  Ht- 
tlc  play. things  of  children  appear  to  us. 

What  fupreme  importance  does  it  give  to  a  rational 
creature,  that  the  filk  worm  has  fpun  for  her  a  robe 
of  elegance,  or  that  the  milliner  has  befpangled  her 
with  ornaments  ?  Thefe  ornaments,  alas  !  cover  only 
a  *'  poor  worm,"  a  finner  !  a  creature,  fubjedl  to  in- 
numerable infirmities  and  furrows  !  and  after  all,  the 
peacock  has  more  gaudy  plumage,  and  flowers  of  the 
iield  are  more  beautifully  decked  1 

Where  again  is  the  dignity  of  high  birth,  unlefs  it 
leads  to  dignified  condudl  ?  And  what  are  all  thefe 
dillindions  to  a  creature,  that,  any  infiant^  may  be 
dripped  of  every  thing  ;  that  may  die  any  hour?  and 
mud  be  called  to  a  very  fevere  account,  if  they  have 
not  been  religioufly  improved  ? 

If  you  are  ever  difpofed  to  be  proud,  look  forward 
to  the  moment,  which  will  bury,  along  with  you  in 
the  dujiy  titles,  honours,  riches,  beauty,  friends,  con- 
nexions— to  the  moment,  when  the  world  will  b^.'  fliri- 
velled  into  atoms — when  you  mud  dand,  a  naked  and 
unproteded  criminal,  before  the  fupreme  Maj<.dy  of  hea- 
ven J  and    endeavour    to  acquire   that  universal    love. 


36  LETTERSTOA 

which,  for  the  fake  of  doing  a  religious  a6lion,  is  con- 
tent to  **  become  the  fervant  of  all."  This  love  will 
be  a  fovereign  balfam  of  the  foul.  It  will  heal  athou- 
fand  diforders,  -dud  prcve^it  as  many  more. 

The  auihor  of  all  wifdom  and  greatnefs  was  **  meek 
and  lowly  in  heart."  He,  who  could  have  com?fianded 
kingdoms,  inhabited  a  cottage.  Humility  is  the  dif- 
tingu'ijl?ing  badge  of  his  religion.  And,  whenever  you 
are  his  r^^/ difciple,  you  will  not  exalt  yourfelf  above 
the  meaneft  creature,  but  under  an  accumulation  of  all 
wordly  difl-indlions,  will  fmite  upon  your  breall  with  the 
publican,  and  fay,   *'  God  be  merciful  to  me  a  finner." 

Happinefs  and  pride  are  abfolutely  incompatible. 
Continual  vexations,  fanciful  flights  and  injuries  and 
provocations  wound  X.\\q  felffufficient  mind. 

Pride  is  contrary  to  every  thing,  that  pleafes  in  a 
woman.  It  has  no  foftnefs,  no  benignity,  no  eafe.  The 
apoftle  has  juftly  called  "a  meek  and  quiet  fpirit,  an 
oriia??ient"  It  is  the  robe,  in  which  a  woman  fliould 
always  he  drefied,  who  widies  to  fecure  a  permanent 
efteem. 

LETTER        XV. 

MY    DfAR     LUCY, 

X,  GAVE  you  a  defcription  of  the  true  delicacy  of 
Loulfa.  I  have  lately  feen  it  over-afted  by  another 
perfon,  in  fuch  a  manner,  as  to  difguft  me  beyond  ex- 
prefiion.  The  virtues  and  graces  have  all  their  limits.  If 
pufhed  further,  they  degenerate  into  the  very  oppofite 
defeds.  The  lady,  who  hurt  my  feelings,  had  not 
conftdered  this  maxim.  Or  (he  had  not  talte  and  fenfe 
enough  to  apply  it.  Her  delicacy  was  abfolute  prudery 
and  affsdation. 

True  delicacy  is  nothing  more,  than  the  refinement 
of  tnodejly.  It  is  the  fenfitive  plant  of  woman,  which 
gives  the  quickell  notice  of  approaching  danger,  and 
trembles  at  the  bare   apprehenfwn   of  any  thing,  which 


YOUNGLADY.  37 

can  injure  her  honour,  her  fafety,  or  rcpofe.  So  ami- 
able in  itfelf,  one  cannot  wonder,  that  every  female 
wifhes  to  be  thought  in  pofTeflion  of  it.  But  it  is  a  fhy 
and  timid  plant,  and  lead  difplays  itfelf,  where  It  Is 
known  to  exift  in  the  higheil  cultivation. 

Some  women  are  fo  over-loaden  with  this  virtue,  as 
to  be  almoft  infufferable  In  fociety  ;  fo  outrageouflj  vir- 
tuous, that  they  render  all  their  purity  and  principlci 
fufpeiled. 

This  tremUingly  modeft  female,  in  a  company,  of 
which  I  had  lately  the  honour  of  making  one,  on 
hearing  that  a  number  of  gentlemen  were  coming  to 
drink  tea,  feemed  very  much  alarmed,  and  pretended  to 
make  an  apology  for  retiring.  Now  this  was  noihing 
lefs  than  downright  hypocrify^  If  it  had  been  poflible 
to  look  into  her  heart,  probably,  at  the  very  moment, 
it  was  thrilling  with  joy,  for  the  agreeable  Information. 

Every  woman  In  the  world  is  fond  of  our  fociety, 
unlefs  fhe  has  formed  fome  particular  attachment,  and 
wiflies  to  indulge  the  greater  luxury  of  folltary  recol- 
ledllon.  Il  is  a  natural  2i\\^  an  innocent  pleafure,  and 
it  would  be  \.\\z  falfcjl  delicacy  to  difown  It.  We  always 
fufpL'c'i  thele  prudes.  We  fancy,  that  their  modefty  di- 
minlfhes  in  private,  in  proportion,  as  it  appears  to 
dilate  and  to  magnify  itfelf,  before  the  public  infpec- 
lion. 

Upon  hearing,  again,  that  a  young  lady  had  been 
fmart  and  lively  with  a  gentleman  of  her  acquaintance, 
fhe  blejfed  her  Jlars^  and  wondered,  how  fuch  forward- 
nefs  efcaped  reprobation  /  Now  this  girl  afted  from  na" 
tare.  The  gentleman  was  agreeable.  She  felt  the 
pleafure.  She  dared  to  exprefs  it.  She  wifhed  to  en- 
tertain him,  and  fhe  did  right.  The  other  blamed  her 
from  envy  or  from  affedation. 

Thefe  (?i;«fr  «/V^  and  over-virtuous  people  would  do 
well  to  confider,  that  an  odious  reftraint  would  banifh 
all  the  fweets  of  an  intercourfe  betwixt  the  fexes,  and 
fix  a  moping  and  a  dlfmal  gloom  on  the  face  of  the 
creation.  It  is  no  breach  of  true  delicacy  to  comply 
with  the  Innocent  didates  of  nature.  A  woman  mav, 
very  modeftly,  avow  a  virtuous  attachment.  She  may 
exprefs  an  approbation  of  particular  men,  and  do   juf- 

Vol.  II.  H  ^ 


38  LETTERS     TO     A 

tice  lo  their  merit.  She  may  fliew  a  fondnefs  for  being 
in  their  company.  She  may  chat,  in  a  fociable  and  an 
eafy  manner  with  them  ;  nay  fhe  may  think  of  being  a 
ivlfe  or  a  iwAkery  without  injuring  the  fined  tints  of  this 
laudable  quality.  Providence  intended  her  for  fuch 
circumftances    and   connexions,  and    they  need   not  a 

That /)/>/>'  is  mod  folid,  which  affc£ls  no  gloomy  ri- 
gours, or  fingularities  ;  which  makes  no  noife,  and 
courts  no  obfervation.  It  is  fo  with  delicacy.  That  is 
al'ix-ays  the  molt  exquifite,  which  is  lead  ojietitatious. 
An  unfiudicd  opennefs  and  fimph'city  of  manners  are  the 
ftrongefl:  fymptoms  of  a  guiltlefs  heart,  and  a  virtuous 
intention.  Thofe  young  people  are  generally,  the  moll 
amiable,  that  are  mod  undifguifed.  Having  nothing 
to  conceal-,  they  have  dudied  no  art.  They  mzy,  fovie- 
times^  give  way  to  little  failles,  which  the  rigid  would 
condemn  !  but  they  are  failles  of  good  kiwiour,  and  ge- 
nerofity  forgives  them. 

Another  inllance,  in  which  this  Lady  offended  me, 
and  yet  from  an  over  defire  of  pleafing,  was  by  afTuming 
a  midaken  dignity.  In  fadl,  true  dignity,  in  any  per- 
fon,  confids  in  the  -virtues  ;  humility,  condefcenfion, 
candour;  and  is  only  fupported  by  ^rd*^/ qualities,  or 
by  a  train  of  amiable  aftions.  But  in  a  'woman^s  manner, 
if  fhe  confidered  only  what  \% graceful^  there  fhould  al- 
ways be  more  of  the  lovely,  than  the  great ;  of  the 
engaging,  than  the  magnificent  or  fubiime.  Her  au^ 
thorify  fhould  be  lod  in  fiveettiefs  ;  the  dazzling,  in  the 
mild. 

Women  were  not  formed  to  wjoe  us  by  their  majedy, 
hvi\.  ^o  fooih  wshy  their  graces.  We  may  be  flruck 
with  a  Cleopatra,  but  we  hve  an  Antlope.     A  Catharine 

may  a   ajlonijh  us,  but  we  are  charvied  with  a  — 

C e. 

LETTER        XVI. 

j[  H  E  tour  of  affeftation  is  unbounded.  I  have 
jud  returned  from  a  circle  of  ladies,  who  have  been  en- 


YOUNG     LADY.  59 

tcrtaining  me  with  a  very  long  harangue,  on  (what  they 
choofe  to  C2i\\y)  f/J<r  feelings.  This  is  quite  a  fafhion- 
able  fubjed.  The  truth  is,  fenfibility  is  confid-^rcfd,  as  a 
matter  of  refinement,  and  a  proof  of  being  raiftd  above 
the  vulgar  ;  and  many  young  people,  I  do  believe, 
would  be  more  hurt  by  any  reflexion  on  their  fenfibility, 
than  if  you  fufpe6ted  their  piety  and  virtue. 

This  nt^f  for  the  compliment  of  fine  feelings  fecms 
•to  have  originated  in  the  writings  of  Sterne.  His  very 
eccentric  talents  were  always  contriving  fome  fidlitious 
tale  of  woe,  and  bidding  the  tear  to  drop  ;  the  general 
circulation  of  his  works,  and  the  novels  which  have, 
fince,  fprung  up  in  the  hot-bed  of  France,  and  of  our 
own  imagiftations,  have  led  young  people  to  fancy  every 
grace  and  almoft  every  virtue,  comprifed  under  this 
fpecious  and  comprehenfive  name. 

Nothing  certainly  can  be  more  naufeous  and  difguft- 
ing,  than  an  affe^ed  fenfjbility,  as  nothing  is  more 
charming,  than  the  pure  and  genuine.  But,  with  all 
this  noife  about  it,  I  am  far  from  knowing  whether 
there  is  much  of  the  real  in  the  v/oild.  They, 
who  would  be  thought  to  have  it  in  perfe6\ion,  are 
only  in  poflelfion  of  the  artijiciaL  For  is  it  fenfibility 
to  prefer  the  turbid  pleafures  of  ??iidnight  to  opening 
buds  and  bloflbms ;  to  the  lefTons,  which  the  Creator 
gives  in  every  vegetable  and  every  infe6l  ;  to  undillurb- 
ed  contemplation  ;  to  the  raptures  of  devotion,  or  all 
the  fair  and  enchanting  landscapes  of  creation  ;  to  the 
fentiment,  the  tafte  and  knowledge,  that  are  difplayed 
in  the  works  of  the  moft  learned  and  ingenious  men,  or 
the  entertainment  and  delight  and  profit,  we  might 
receive  from  the  volume  of  revelation  ?  Is  it  fenfibility 
to  form  a  facred  connexion  with  one  perfon,  and  en- 
courage a  criminal  attachment  to  another?  Is  it  fenfi- 
bility to  leave  the  charms,  the  cries,  the  wants  and  len- 
der pleadings  of  an  infant  offspring,  for  the  vain  and 
pcrifiiable  fplendour  of  a  ball,  a  birth  night,  or  a 
levee  ? 

Every  thinking  perfon  mufl;  be  difgufted  with  fuch  a 
kind    of  fenfibility.      Rigid    criticifm  would   call  it  by 
a  very  harfh  name,  and,  fociety  has  reafon    to  repro- 
H  2 


40  LETTERS     TO     A 

bate  its  tendency.  Yet  Sterne's  fenfibility  ltd  to  many 
of  thefe  evils  ;  and  who  knows  not,  that  a  thonfand 
ladies,  who  vaunt  Jiiie  feelings,  are  dupes  to  this  ridi- 
culous illufion  ? 

True  feelinjr  \%  of  a  very  different  complexion. 
Like  genius,  it  mu(t  come  from  heaven;  indeed  it  is 
a  part  <>/"  genius  ;  and,  like  that,  is  very  rare.  It  de- 
pends, confiderably  on  temperament  and  organizati- 
on ;  is  much  heightened  by  particular  advantages  of 
education,  fociely,  friends,  reading,  obfervation  and 
reflexion  ;  and  will  generally  be  quickeft  in  the  moft 
elevated  minds.  But,  even  when  it  is  moft  genuine 
and  poignant,  it  will  never  be  a  guide,  fafcly  to  be 
trufted,  till  it  is  governed  by  reafon,  checked  by  dif- 
crction,  and  moulded  by  that  religion,  which  requires 
us  to  devote  every  inj}in£l  we  have,  to  the  glory  of 
God,  and  to  the  happinefs  of  all  our  fellow-creatures, 
and  of  ourfelves. 

Thus  confecrated,  it  is  a  fource  of  the  pureft  and  the 
rlciieft  bleflings.  It  is  the  parent  of  an  earneft  devo- 
tion to  him,  who  gave  it,  and  of  a  thoufand  bleflings 
to  mankind.  It  appropriates  all  the  forrows  of  its  bre- 
thren !  it  feels  in  every  woe,  "rejoices  with  them, 
**  that  do  rejoice,  and  weeps  with  them  that  weep;" 
and  doubly  alive  to  all  the  exercifes  of  piety,  in  blof- 
foms,  in  flowers,  in  minerals,  in  vegetables,  in  ftars, 
in  planets,  in  the  azure  vault  of  heaven,  in  thunders, 
iii  ftorms,  in  earthquakes,  in  volcanos,  in  the  revolu- 
tions of  empire,  and  deftrudlion  of  cities,  feels  mod 
exquifitely,  adorer  and  loves  and  venerates  the  wifdom, 
the  power,  the  goodnefs  and  wonders  of  an  all-prefent, 
and  all-difpofing  God. 

It  is  with  this,  as  with  every  other  grace  and  virtue. 
There  is  a  falfe  and  a  true.  The  falfe  is  loud  and 
noify,  much  addided  to  egotifyn,  and  obtrudes  Itftlf  on 
public  obfervation  In  order  to  gratify  its  own  conceit 
and  vanity  ;  the  other,  modeft:,  timid,  retired,  JJyrinks 
into  itfelf;  feels,  but  fays  nothing  of  its  feelings; 
fuffers,  but  conceals  its  fufferings  ;  rejoices,  but  does 
not  vaunt  its  joy,  and  is  too  delicate  in  its  nature,  and 
too  much  interejied  to  folicit  pity,  or  to  court  approba- 
tion. The  one  is  an  humble  (ire-work,  which  cracks 
and  fparklcs ;  the  other  is  that   lightning,  which,  ia 


YOUNGLADY.  41 

an  inftanty  eledlriHes  and  fhocks  ;  this  is  the  offspring 
of  heaven  i  that,  the  artificial  creature  of  the  world. 
I  will  conclude  this  letter  with  a  contrail  taken  from 
life.  Flavia  lies  in  bed  till  noon  ;  as  foon  as  fhe  rifes, 
fhe  opens  a  novel,  or  a  play-book  ;  weeps  profufely  at 
imaginary  dillrefs,  Tips  flrong  tea,  till  fhe  is  almofl  in 
hyfterics  ;  concludes,  that  fenfibility  is  all  her  own, 
and  is  perpetually  complaining  how  her  feelings  are 
fhocked  with  fuch  a  room,  or  fuch  a  profpe6\,  the 
coarfcnefs  of  this  charadler,  and  of  that  converfation, 
and  how  the  fight  of  a  poor  beggar  gives  her  the  va' 
pours, 

Emily  never  fays  a  word  about  her  feelings,  rifes 
with  the  dawn,  endeavours  to  fortify  her  body  with 
air  and  exercife,  and  her  mind  with  devotion  ;  is  oftncr 
fecn  with  htr  bibUy  than  any  other  book  ;  feems  ])leafcd 
with  every  perfon  and  every  object  about  her,  aud  puts 
on  a  cheerful  fmile,  when  her  bofom  is  really  throbbing 
with  pain,  for  the  diftrefTcs  of  her  fellow-creatiirrs. 

I  was  lately  in  her  company,  when  a  cafe  of  very 
fingular  diftrefs  happened  to  be  related,  of  a  lady  re- 
duced, from  the  height  of  afBuence,  to  a  poverty, 
which  flie  attempted  to  conceal.  She  uttered  not  a 
fyllable,  but,  in  a  little  while,  quitted  the  room,  and 
returned,  after  a  confiderable  intt-rval,  witli  eyes,  that 
/lie  had  vainly  bidden  not  to  betray  her  emotions.  The 
next  circumffance  1  heard,  was,  that  flie  had  fent  a 
£  50  bank  note  without  any  fignature,  to  the  relief 
of  the  fair  fufferer.  The  fecrct  was  difcovered,  con- 
trary to  the  rtridefl  Injundlions,  by  the  imprudence  of 
the  bearer.  She  has,  fince,  adopted  one  of  the  daugh- 
ters, to  be  educated  for  her  own. 

Tell  me  now,  my  Lucy,  which  of  thefe  is  the  true 
and  the  produ^iive  fenfibility  ? 

••<>•— "<>-~<S><^<S>  "•<»••— •<>•• 

LETTER        XVn. 

-■•WILL    give   you  candidly,  at  your  reqiieft,  my 
opinion    of   fome   celebrated   writers.     If   you    differ 

H3 


42  LETTERSTOA 

from  me  on  reading  them,  it  may  produce  a  coUifion 
of  fenlinients,  which  wiil  be  favourable  to  our  mutual 
iroprover.itMt.  At  any  rate,  it  will  fcrve  to  exercife 
your  own  JMd;»m;^nt  and   difcrimination. 

Voltaire  is  a  grf»cefiil,  but  a  Jnperficiul  writer.  He 
had  more  talle  than  genius,  and  more  llvelinefs  than 
authenticity.  Volatile  in  his  rtfearches,  impatient  of 
inveiligalion  and  hally  in  his  decifions,  you  can  fcarce- 
ly  rely  0:1  the  truth  or  authority  of  any  fads,  he  re- 
lates. 

If  T  mud  recommend  any  of  his  works,  it  fhould  be 
his  Henriade.  But  I  iJo  not  wifh  you  to  cultivate  any 
clofe  acquaintance  with  fo  erroneous,  and  fedudlive  an 
author. 

RoufTeau  is  very  fanciful,  but  very  engaging.  His 
whims  are  all  the  ebullitions  of  genius  ;  and,  as  fuch, 
they  pleafe.  Nothing  was  ever  fo  llrangely  romantic, 
as  his  Emilius,  or  fylhem  of  Education  ;  a  m?re,  pa- 
per  edifice  of  children,  which  the  firft  and  gentlefl 
touch  of  experience  totally  dcltroys.  You  may  read 
it  to  be  amufed,   not  to  be  inllrufted. 

Why,  you  will  naturally  afli,  where  thefe  diflln- 
guifhed  men  enemies  to  revelation  ?  The  truth  is,  ge- 
nius difdains  to  move  in  fhackles,  or  to  tread 'Z'^^^*?;; 
paths.  Originality  is  its  conftant  aim.  It  muft  can- 
didly, be  owned,  that  revelation  has  fome  doilrincs, 
fuperior  to  our  reafon.  Otherwife,  we  fliould  have  no 
exercife  for  our  faith  ;  and  our  organs  of  perception 
would  be  too  fubtile  and  too  refined  for  a  mortal  Rate. 
And  thefe  very  enlightened  men  choofe  not  to  Hop  at 
myfler'ies^  but,  in  the  pride  of  underllanding,  arro- 
gantly difbelievr,   v.-hat    they  cannot  comprehend. 

Happy  the  humble  criilian,  who  fubmlts  and  adores! 
who  confidcrs  reafon  but  as  an  i7?2perfe^  gynd^^  and  pa- 
tiently waits  the  moment,  when  the  fplendours  of  full 
difcovery  (hall  fhine  around  him  ! 


Y  O  U  N  G  L  A  D  Y.  43 

LETTER         XVIII. 

MY    DEAR    LUCY, 

jt\,  FTER  all  the  nolfe,  that  has  been  made  about 
him,  what  has  this  great  Lord  Chellerfield  written  ? 
What  fieau  ideas  has  he  communicated  to  the  world  ? 

He  has  ^;iven  us  a  few  fl^etches  of  heathen  mytho- 
logy, of  the  Grecian,  Roman  and  Englifh,  hillorics, 
written  in  a  pleafing  (lyle  ;  and  he  has  inculcated  upon 
youth,  that  ejccellent  maxim,  of  not  lofing  a  (ingle 
moment  from  improvement.  A  man  of  very  ■;?iodc'rate 
talents  might  have  done  likewife.  He  had  doubllefs, 
fome  claim  to  tafte  ;  but  very  little  (Irength  or  origi* 
nality  of  genius  appears  through  his  writings;  but  he 
was  a  nohleinatiy  who  had  been  confpicuous  for  his  fta- 
titjn,  and  his  coronet  has  refitcled  a  luftre  on  his  page. 

What  real  critic  mult  not  fmile  at  his  dtcifion,  when 
he  boldly  pronounces  ;he  Hcnriadc  of  Voltaire,  fupe- 
riar  to  the  Iliad,  the  A'.neid,  and  to  Paradife  Lolt  ? 
Perhaps,  this  poem  may  be  free  from  Tome,  little 
fpots  of  the  others  ;  but  then  it  is  not  a  fun,  whofe 
tire  confumes  every  flighter  blemifli,  and  leaves  the 
reader  wrapped  in  a  profound  enthufiafm  and  amaze- 
ment. 

If  it  furpaffes  them  in  a  cold  correftnefs,  has  it  their 
fublimity,  their  energy  and  fire  ?  If  it  has  not  their 
cxcrefcences,  has  it  their  impaflioned  beauties  ?  Com- 
pared with  the  Iliad,  or  with  the  work  of  Milton,  it 
is  a  neat  fpruce  fir,  placed  near  a  fpreadiiig  and  ma- 
jellic  oak.  It  is  a  gentle  rivulet  by  the  fide  of  a  focim- 
ing  torrent,  or  a  magnificent  ocean.  It  is  a  pet- 
ty artificial  fire-work,  playing  in  the  neighbourhood  of 
a  tremendous  ^tna. 

But  Voltaire  was  a  ^^;;^f;?/W  writer,  and  a  congenial 
foul.  In  praifing  his  fuperfcial  talents,  Chefterfield 
did  an  honour  to  his  own. 

If  this  writer  had  not  been  a  peer,  wo  would   have 
read  his  letters  with  fo  much  avidity  ?  All  be  has  pro- 
H  4 


44  LETTERS     TO     A 

duced»  would  immediately  have  perifhed  with  the  other 
frcthj  bubbles  of  the  day.  His  eternal  repetition  of 
"  graces,  graces,"  makes  one  abfolutely  fick  ;  and 
the  regfrjHi)  he  prefcribes  for  the  attainment  of  them, 
creates  him  an  enemy,  in  every  friend  of  rehglon  and 
of   virtue. 

Society  ihould  bur7i  his  books.  All  the  women,  in 
the^  world,  /hould  form  an  unanimous  confederacy 
againfl:  him.  He  has  done  every  thing  in  his  power 
to  render  tliem  deteftable  ;  they  fliould  do  every  thing 
in  thirs,  to  make  the  infamy  of  his  chara6ler,  immor- 
tal. 

Read  him,  to  defpife  his  opinions  and  maxims.  Read 
him  that  you  may  re/cue  the  honours  of  your  fex,  and 
give  the  Ik,  in  your  own  example,  to  every  lihel  he  has 
uttered,  and  every  fcandal  he  has  endeavoured  to  pro- 
pagate through  the  world. 


<S-S>"<^"-<>" 


LETTER        XIX. 


G 


IBBON  13  fplendid,  elaborate,  elegant.  To 
me,  however,  he  is  not,  always,  perfpicuous,  I  am 
fomet'nnes,  obliged  to  paufe  to  difcover  his  meaning. 
This  arifes  from  his  having  (ludied  an  uniform,  con- 
denfed  harmony  of  period,  or  attempting  to  graft  the 
peculiarities  of  Tacitus,  on  the  Englifh  idiom.  He  is, 
however,  on  the  whole,  a  captivating  writer;  and  I 
would  not  forbid  you  the  pleafure  of  perufing  his  inte- 
reftlng  work.  You  may  admire  his  language,  without 
imbibing  his  infidelity.  It  is,  indeed,  lo  artfully  con- 
cealed under  beds  of  rofes,  that,  if  you  had  not  heard 
fo  much  about  it,  you  would  not  eafily  have  difccvered 
the  venom  of  his  pen. 

What  could  induce  this  fplendid  hiftorian fo  infidioufly 
to  attempt  the  undermining  of  chriflianity,  which  is  the 
greateft  balm  and  fweetner  of  life  ?  What  are  his  round- 
ed periods,  if  they  have  a  tendency  to  rob  the  world 
of  its  fublimeft  profpedls,  and  of  all  its  fupporting 
hopes  ?  What  will  the  fame  of  tahnts  avail  him,  if  he 


YOUNGLADY.  45 

has  done  his  utmoft  to  circulate  infidelity,  as  widely  as 
his  writings,  and  ftrew  his  paths,  in  every  place, 
through  which  he  has  pafled,  with  heaps  of  the  mur- 
dered? 

It  is  amazing  that  authors  do  not,  more  frequently, 
look  forward  to  the  moment,  when  to  have  made  a  noife 
in  the  vvoi  l-i,  by  ftngular  opinions,  will  convey  no  joy 
or  comfort  to  the  heart ;  and  when  the  only  confolatioa 
muft  be,  that  they  have  laboured  to  promote  the  glory 
of  God,  and  the  benefit  of  man. 

I  would  not,  for  the  richcll  mitre  In  the  kingdom, 
be  a  Gibbon,  in  my  latell  moments*  In  health  and 
profperity,  we  may  be  dazzled  with  tinfel.  But  when 
we  come  to  die,  every  thing  will  vanifli,  but  piety  and 
truth. 

Immoral  writers  may  do  the  greateft  mifchief  to  fo- 
ciety,  of  any  other  charadlers  whatever.  They  may  cor- 
rupt and  taint  the  morals  of  the  mod  diftant  pofterity. 
In  this  fenfe,  they  may,  for  a  long  time,  contuiue  to  be 
finning,  when  tlieir  bodies  are  entombed.  Their  fenti- 
menls  may  convey  a  deadly  poifon,  to  operate  on  many 
generations  yet  unborn.  And  what  reparation  or  atone- 
ment can  they  make  for  unhinged  principle,  for  violated 
integrity,  and  undermined  hope.  The  Ron.; fli  Church 
has  a  very  flrikiiig  do6lrine,  that  fuch  people  continue 
in  purgatory,  the  longed  of  all  others. 

I  blefs  God,  that  I  never  wrote  a  line,  however  fee- 
ble, but  with  a  good  intention.  And  may  this  pen 
drop  from  my  hands,  before  it  ever  leads  me  to  fini/h  a 
period,  that  fhall  give  me  one  uncomfortable  thought, 
or  one  feeling  of  remorfe,  in  my  expiring  moments. 

LETTER        XX. 

MY   DEAR    LUCY, 


T. 


HOUGH,   from  prliiclple,  a  declaimer  ag^infl 
novels,   yet  of  one  writer,  who  goes  under  this  name,    I 
profefs  myfelf  a  paflionate  admired,     i  mean  Ri:hdrd- 
H5 


46  L  E  T  T  E  R  S     T  O     A 

Ton.  His  works,  indeed,  are  not  to  be  examined  by 
the  ftrid  laws  of  a  fallidious  criticirm.  They  have  many 
luxuriiiKciiSy  and  too  much  prolixity.  The  language  is 
natural  and  cafy,  but  it  is  not  condcn]'ed\x\\n  the  elegant 
concifenefs  and  <f;;fr^^' of  the  ancients.  Richardfon  was 
a  llranger  to  the  inimitable  models  of  Greece  and  Rome. 
He  was  not  a  clajfic  ;  but  he  poflefTed  a  moll  extenfivc 
knowledge  of  human  life  and  manners;  his  judgment 
was  (Irong  and  penetrating  ;  his  tarte,  accuraie  ;  his 
fenfibility,  exquifite  ;  his  imagination,  wonderful  ;  and 
his  heart,  impaflioned.  Mafter  of  the  human  charadcr, 
he  knew  all  its  meanderings.  Mafter  of  the  human  foul, 
liC  penetrated  into  all  its  foldings  and  recefles. 

With  the  fame  breath,  and  in  the  fame  moment,  he 
melts,  he  tranfports,  he  elevates,  he  dignifies,  he  con- 
vinces, and  inilrudls.  Pathos  is  all  his  own.  "  He 
*'  opens  the  hardefl  rocks  by  the  mere  force  of  his  nar- 
*'  rative,  and  the  waters  flow." 

Richardfon  was,  indeed,  a  writer  of  no  trifling  mag- 
nitude. He  was  a  genius  of  no  ordinary  kind.  De- 
grade this  (?//vr^^/ fpirit,  as  you  will,  it  will  mount  up 
to  Its  kindred  flcies.  Call  him  a  noveliji,  his  merit  rifes 
abtjve  names  and  forms.  Thefe  cannot  debafe  his  talents. 
Handle  this  fubftance,  as  rouglily  as  you  pleafc,  it  re- 
turns, with  rn  elaftic  vigour,  to  its  ufual  fliape,  and 
d»:fics  opp:;fition. 

But  ihc  cxctilency  of  his  intention  is  above  all  praifc. 
The  interells  of  virtue  and  religion  were  near  hit*  heart  ; 
and  he  chufe  the  epiftolary  plan  merely  to  engage  the 
attention  of  his  readers,  and  that  imagination  might  lend 
its  livelied  charms  to  ani?nale  his  precepts. 

What  a  pattern  of  all  virtues  and  graces,  is  Ins 
Grandifon  !  What  a  lovely  and  finilhed  girl,  Is  his 
Harriet  ByrvJn  1  What  an  unruffled  piety!  What  a 
meltin^^  affection  I  What  filial  duty  to  her  aged  grand- 
mothtr!  What  a  kind  fympaihy  wiih  all  her  friends  ! 
Whdt  f.'nlibility,  yet  what  prudence  I  What  tendernefs, 
yet  what  difcretion  appear  in  her  chara6ltr  !  How  nicely 
is  her  feiioufncfs  mixed  with  vivacity,  her  fine  fenle 
with  modelly,  and  her  franknefs,  with  decorum  1  How 
fondly  does  flie  love,  yet  how  delicately  does  fhe  manage 


and  regulate  the  flame  ! 


YOUNGLADY.  47 

When  fhe  pined,  in  fecret,  with  an  unconquerable 
attachment,  what  cheerfulnefs  to  all  her  friends  burft 
through  the  heavy  gloom,  that  lowered  on  her  mind  ! 
What  fear  of  giving  any  pain  to  others,  though  com- 
fortlefs  herftlf !  What  veneration  did  fhe  exprefs  for 
the  unhappy  Clementina  !  What  a  generous  concern 
for  the  innocent,  girlifh  emotions  of  Emily  !   What  an 

unaffected  fiiendfliip   for  the  lively  Lady  G ,   and 

when  fhe  was  really  addreffed  by  her  Grandlfon,  with 
what  an  open  franknefs,  yet  what  a  guarded  delicacy 
and  involuntary  confufion,  did  fhe  tell  lu'm  that  he  had 
the  full  poffelfion  of  lier  foul  ! 

How  venerable  and  engaging  has  this  writer  made  the 
charafter  of  a  clergyman,  in  the  cafe  of  Dr.  Bartlett  I 
How  iudicioufly  has  he  mixed  the  pallor,  with  the  friend, 
and  combined  the  mofl  rigid  principles,  with  the  foftefl 
and  mofl  attradive  graces.  What  innocence,  integrity, 
and  what  prudence  and  caution  about  interfering  in  fa - 
iiiily  concerns,  has  he  given,  in  another  work,  to  Dr. 
Lewen  !  What  an  independent  fpirit,  llkewife  ;  what  a 
leaning  to  the  fide  of  the  unfortunate  Clariffd,  in  op- 
pofition  to  all  the  greatell  of  her  friends  ;  what  a  glow- 
ing, univerfal  benevolence;  what  a  ferene,  and  undif- 
fembled  piety  !  And  how  ftrikingly  has  he  contrafled 
hoth  with  the  cunning  hypocrify  and  pedantic  aiTedlation 
of  another  perfon,  who,  likewife,  wore,  without  really 
deferving^   fo  fa c red  a  garb  ! 

In  oppofition  to  modern  cuflomG,  which,  under  a 
falje  idea  of  greatnefs,  would  trample  on  facred  cere- 
moiiies,  and  brin^  the  holy  ordinances  of  religion  to 
iheir  owii  fire -fides  ^  in  a  manner,  whioh  divefls  them  of 
all  fol;mnity  and  decorum,  what  an  invincible  attach- 
ment does  ins  Grandifon  difplay  to  all  the  decencies  and 
duties  of  the  church!  What  a  r^ludance  does  he  ex- 
prefs agninil  having  his  marriage  acjccratedh-^  -a  private 
celc-hraiion  ;  and  how  does  he  oblige  his  timid  and  his 
blufhing  Hanitt  to  vow  at  the  altar^  in  the  prtfence  of 
God,  and  in  the  face  of  day,  her  obcdftnte,  and  her 
affc6lion  !  In  fail  tliefe  outward  decencies  <  re  ihe  very 
fences  of  piety.  Break  them  down,  ar.d  the  facird 
cnclofure  will  fuon  bt-come  "  common  and  unclean." 

if,  in  /hort,   i  willicd  a  giil  to  be  every  thii^g",     h^t 


43  LETTERS     TO     A 

was  greats  I  would  have  her  continual  ftudy  his  Cla- 
rifFa.  If  I  was  ambitious  to  make  hei  every  thing, 
that  was  lovely,  (he  fhould  fpcnd  her  days  and  nights,  in 
contemplating  his  Byron. 

I  mull,  however,  confefs  a  ftrong  preference  for  the 
work  of  Sir  Charles  Grandifon.  Tiie  reading  of  Cla- 
rifla  leaves,  upon  the  mind,  too  melancholy  imprefiions. 
Her  diftrefles  are  too  deep  and  too  unvaried  for  fenfibi- 
lity  to  bear.  She  was  every  thing  that  was  virtuous, 
and  we  look  up  with  admiration.  She  was  every  thing, 
that  was  miferable,  and  we  look  doivn  with  defpair. 
We  are  tempted  to  fancy,  that  *'  there  is  no  reward 
*'  for  the  righteous,  nor  any  God  that  judgeth  the 
"  earth." 

There  Is  a  certain  point,  beyond  which  our  paffions 
will  not  bear  to  be  racked.  Beyond  it  even  fympathy, 
the  lovelieft  of  them  all,  turns  into  the  wildnefs  of  de- 
fpair. Virtue  may  have  its  forrows  and  its  trials  ;  but 
they  fhould  not  be  perpetual.  Hope  would  ceafe  to 
bloom,  and  the  year  become  intolerable,  if  it  was 
wholly  compofed  of  a  dull  and  dreary  winter,  without 
a  fpring.  If  Providence  did  not,  generally,  interfere 
in  favour  of  its  faints,  religion,  I  fliould  fufpeft,  would 
foon  lofe  one  of  its  (trongeit  encouragements,  and  moft 
lovercign  fupports. 

Mil's  Byron  is  always  lovely,  and  always  enchanting. 
Her  virtues  are  more  within  the  reach  of  mortality. 
Her  affliAions  are  lefs  poignant ;  and  when  her  long 
attachment  is  crowned  with  fucccfs,  every  good  mind; 
feels  a  pleafure,  too  big  for  exprefiion.  We  are  happy 
for  Clariffa,  only  when  ftie  is  dead.  We  are  very  agree- 
ably interelled  for  Mifs  Byron,  through  every  period  of 
her  life,  and  Lady  Grandifon  charms  us  into  congralu* 
lating  triumph. 


LETTER        XXI. 

X   O  U  fay  very  truly,  that  the  pictures  of  Richard- 
fon  aic  drawn  above  lifej   that  Sir  Charles  Grandifon 


YOUNGLADY.  49 

never  exifted,  except  in   idea,  nor  fo  accompliihcd  a 
woman,  as  Harriet  Byron. 

All  this  is  granted.  Mortality  does  not  admit  of  per- 
fedlion.  Light  and  (hade  go  together.  Foibles  and 
perfe6tions  are  an  infeparahle  mixture.  The  rich  foil 
which  produces  great  talents,  by  the  fame  prolific 
energy,  nurfes  the  ranked  weeds. 

But  what  is  all  this  againft  his  writings  ?  Why  peo- 
ple, you  fay,  are  deterred  from  attempting  to  imitate 
fo  exalted  a  pattern.  But  that  would  be  a  mark  of  an 
ignoble  foul,  and  of  a  lukewarmnefs  in  the  caufe  of 
religion  and  virtue.  If  we  defpair  of  attaining  to  all 
their  perfediojtsy  is  it  nothing  to  ap[)roxh?iatef  as  nearly 
as  we  can  ?  Is  it  not  a  noble  and  a  glorious  emulation, 
at  leaft,  to  exert  our  ut7?wji  ftrength,  when  we  are  run- 
ning the  race  of  immortality  ? 

The  founder  of  our  holy  religion  is  much  more 
highly  raifed  above  our  imitation,  and  yet  do  not  the 
fcriptures  prefs  us  to  make  the  neceffary  attempt  ? 
Who  ever  thought  this  pattern  blameable,  becaufe  fo 
exalted  ?  Or  who  ever  dreamed  of  remitting  his  endea- 
vours, becaufe  he  could  not  reach  iiiQ  fubli?nity  of  its 
virtues  ? 

The  one  you  will  fay,  was  real  ;  the  other  is  ficti- 
tious;   this  is  human  ;   that  was  divine. 

True;  but  are  we  not  to  copy  this  divinity,  in  our 
degree?  And  who  can  blame  fancy  for  prefenting  us 
with  2i  perfeCl  mirror  of  goodnefs  ?  If  imagination  can 
be  ufed  to  an  important  purpofe,  this  I  think,  is  the 
plan  ;  if  it  can  \it  fanCiified  to  aid  the  interefts  of  piety, 
this  appears  the  mode  of  fanCtification.  It  is  only  to 
be  blamtd,  and  it  then  becomes,  in  all  thefe  books,  a 
molt  dangerous  and  unholy  principle,  when  it  exhibits 
fcenes  and  images  to  inflame  thofe  paflions,  which 
fhould  always  be,  rcligloufly,  fupprefled. 

Nor  do  I  blufh,  on  the  whole,  cauiious  as  I  fliould 
be,  to  have  borne  this  humble  teilimony  to  the  merit  of 
the  author  of  Sir  Charles  Grandlfon,  to  have  offered 
my  unavaijing  incenfe,  at  his  (hrine.  If  I  durft  preach 
in  fome  fuch  manner,  I  could  make  more  converts.  The 
pulpit  will  never  have  its  full  influence  and  effed,  till 
cir^uvitnt  is  mixed  with  itroiig  appeals  to  the  heart ;  and 


50  LETTERS    TO     A 

tllli  whild  the  judgment  is  convinced,  the  imagination 
U  permitted  by  lively,  defcriptive  and  energetic  fallies, 
to  capiivate  the  foul. 


LETTER        XXII. 

MY    DEAR    LUCY, 


I 


REJOICE  to  find  you  difgufted  with  Triaram 
Shandy.      I  never  thought  thefe  writings  fit  for  a  lady. 

Let  me  candidly  aflc  our  modern  fair  ones,  could 
they  bear  to  hear  fuch  converfatio?iSi  without  bluflung, 
or  cxprefling  their  contempt  ?  And  Ihould  not  then  the 
eye  be  as  chafte,  as  the  ear  ?  The  firll,  indeed,  can  be 
gratified  in  private.  But  can  that  delicacy  be  very  ex- 
quifite,  which  can  regale,  when  alone,  on  fentlmenta 
and  defcrlptlons,  from  which,  in  public,  it  affCii  to 
turn  away  with  indignation  and  abhorrence? 

I  have  always,  in  private  lamented,  that  Sterne  was 
a  clergyman.  He  might  be  a  lively,  humourous  com- 
panion, but  he  had  too  much  levity  for  this  profcffion. 
It  is  true,  he  had  talents  ;  but  what  is  ungovt'rned  ge- 
nius,  but  a  violent  flame,  which  burns,  inflead  of  warm- 
ing, and  dazzles,   where  it  (hould  enlighten  and  dire<^  ? 

Tills  writer  has  done  inexpreflible  mifchief.  He  has 
opened  W'ide  the  flood  gates  of  indecency,  and  an  over- 
whelming torrent  has  poured  on  the  land.  He  has  con- 
veyed indelicate  ideas  into  the  minds  of  young  people, 
under  the  fpecious  vehicle  of  fentiment,  and  has  digni- 
fied eventual  criminality  with  the  falfe,  infidious  title 
of  involuntary  attachment.  The  corrupted  and  un- 
bluflilug  fair  has  gloried  in  htr  Ihamc.  She  has  appeal- 
ed for  Ijerjuftification,  from  the  ^^r(?^i?/}  of  paflion,  to 
fecret  and  irrefifllhle  feelings  of  the  heart. 

It  is  a  juft  compliment  to  the  prefent  age,  that  the 
bell  writers  preftrve  more  decorum.  An  indelicate  al- 
lufion  would,  now  be  cfteemed  an  unpardonable  offence 
again li  the  public  tafte.  Even  \\\^Jiage  is  confiderably 
reformed.     It  was  far  other  wife  in   (what  was  called) 


YOUNG    LADY.  51 

our  j4ugitj}an  age.  Almoft  every  author  of  that  pe- 
riod (Addifon  excepted),  breathes  fomcthing  of  inde- 
deh'cacy.  In  many  pafTages,  Swift  is  intolerable  ;  Pope 
indecent;  and  even  Bolingbroke,  with  all  his  claims  to 
birth,  as  well  as  eloquence,  is  not  without  fome  graft 
ideas,  and  fome  vulgar  exprefTujns. 

But  the  great  corrupter  of  them  all  was  Swift.  The 
refervoir  of  filthinefs  ;  all  the  feparate  flreams  might 
claim  him  for  their  parent  fource.  I  have  already  given 
my  fentiments  of  this  author.  It  is  not  ncceffary  to 
fwell  the  inveftive,  or  add  any  thing  to  the  charges, 
adduced  againil  him.  His  abilities  I  never  fiifpeded  ; 
but  I  always  called  in  queftion  his  temper  and  his  heart. 

Panegyrilts,  however,  have  enumerated  his  many 
virtues.  To  Ireland,  they  fay,  he  was  a  llillful  patriot  ; 
to  the  church,  a  defender ;  and  to  the  poor,  a  friend. 

For  the  honour  of  human  nature,  I  will  not  endea- 
vour to  put  a  negative  on  thcfe  virtues.  Let  them  all 
be  taken  into  the  general  account.  The  balance  will 
not  iiiil  be  heavy  in  his  favour, 

."<>--<>-<Se>^5><S>"'<>-"'<>'- 

LETTER        XXIIL 

VV  HATEVER  devotional  writers  increafe  your 
piety,  by  all  means  ufe  them.  I  did  xmt  mention  in  my 
catalogue,  jMrs.  Ronve's  Devout  Excrcifes  of  the  Hearty 
with  wb.ich  you  are  fo  much  pleafed,  bccaufe  to  7ne  they 
appe?iredj  cverfirained,  and  rather  rhapfodies  of  a  fer- 
vid imagination,  than  the  dilates  of  a  cool  and  a  dif- 
pafiionate  judgment.  But  if  they  really  warm  and 
edify,  thAit  is  the  great  and  ultimate  end  of  all  religious 
writings  ;  and  no  one  can  pretend,  in  thib  rtfpeft,  to 
prefcribe  to  the  confcience  or  the  feelings  of  others. 
From  my  obfervatious,  however,  upon  life  and  man- 
ners, that  piety  has  always  appeared  the  moft  durable, 
which  is  moft  founded  on  rtaion  and  convidion  ;  and 
though  I  abhor  the  cold  rock  of  fceptitifm,  yet  there 
is,  liktwife,  fome  danger,  that  a  wcll-dirpofcd  woman, 
whole  fcnhbility  is,  as  yet,  ilrongtr  than  her  judgment, 


52  LETTERSTOA 

may  f  )under  on  the  oppofite  quickfands  of  enthufiafm, 
cr  of  fuperftition. 

Still  I  would  rather  fee  a  fmall  mixture  of  credulity^ 
than  uJihdief;  but  there  Is  an  happy  medium  betwixt 
the  extremes  ;  and  It  Is  very  obfcrvable,  that  thofe  peo- 
ple, who,  in  fome  peculiar  period  of  their  lives,  or  un- 
der fome  diftrejfing  circumftanccs,  have  feemed  to  foar 
upon  the  wings  of  pious  zeal,  into  the  highell  regions, 
have,  afterwards,  funk  below  the  common  level,  into 
a  flrange  degree  of  carelefsnefs  and  inattention. 

There  are  moments  in  the  moral  life,  when  fancy 
plucks  the  reins  out  of  the  hands  of  reafon  ;  and  though 
fhe  drives  at  intervals,  with  a  furious  rapidity,  yet  na- 
ture foon  becomes  exhaufted  with  the  violence,  and  can- 
not mount  fome  intervening  hills  without  (lopping  for 
refrefhment.  Sometimes,  fhe  has  been  kno\yn,  to  fit 
down  in  a  llftlefs  languor,  and  wholly  to  abandon  the 
journey  in  defpalr. 

We  are  not,  in  this  flate,  formed  for  extremes.  Any 
of  the  paflions,  too  violently  exercifed,  would  wear 
out  an  imperfecl  frame.  True  piety  is  not  the  blazing 
meteor  of  an  hour,  fiery  In  its  afpe6k,  and  engaging  the 
^ftonifhment  of  a  gazing  multitude,  but  that  fofter  and 
fettled  light  of  the  firmament,  "which  fhlneth  more 
•*  and  more,  unto  the  perfedl  day." 

LETTER        XXIV. 

X  AM  forry  to  fay,  that  you  dlfplay  a  falfe  tafte  in 
admiring  Kilkhampton  Abbey.  I  am  now  fpeaking 
of  its  merits,  merely  as  a  coiupofitlon.  It  is  not  execu- 
ted with  the  fkill  of  a  mailer.  'V\\t  fame  uniform  turn 
of  period  and  of  fentlment,  and  the  fame  laboured 
poihp  of  words,  is  vifible  through  all  tlie  different  in- 
fcriptions.  Surely  the  epitaphs  on  fo  many  charaders, 
all  written  as  might  be  fuppoftd,  by  different  hands, 
fhould  be  various  and  multiform. 

I  never  thought  epitaph  an  eafy  fpecles  of  writing. 
It  requires  fuch  a  nice  difcrimination  of  charader,  fuch 


YOUNG    LADY.  53 

a  force  of  pathos,  and  fo  eoncife  an  elegance,  a&  fall 
not  to  the  lot  of  one  man,  in  a  thoufand.  Many  have 
atteviptedi\\\%  ftyle  of  compofition  ;  but,  in  my  opinion, 
few  have  fuccecded. 

I  do,  indeed,  moft  cordially  deleft  this  anonymous 
abufe.  It  is  contrary  to  all  my  ideas  of  civilization,  po- 
litcnefs,  fortitude,  and  even  common  generofity,  and 
militates  againft  every  thing,  that  fhoi.ld  conllitute  the 
real  charader  of  a  gentleman,  or  a  chriftian. 

No  man  lives,  without  foibles  ox pdrt'tcularities  ;  and, 
if  indead  of  m.aking  allowance  for  thofe  of  other?,  in 
order  to  receive  an  indulgence  for  our  own,  we  unge- 
neroufly  expofe  them  to  ridicule  orcontt-mpt,  the  con- 
fequence,  in  fociety,  muft  be  a  general  coldnefs,  difgtid:, 
rancour,  hoftility,  and  unceafwg  perfecution. 

No  perfon  can  be  fo  circumfped,  particularly,  in  a 
public  charader,  as  to  avoid  creating,  though  without 
intending  it,  a  number  of  little  piques  and  enemies 
againft  himfelf;  fometlmes  even  by  an  inflexible  dif- 
charge  of  i^ecejfary  duties  ;  and  if  his  chara£lcr  muft 
be  taken  from  the  colourings  of  thofe,  whom  he  has 
thus  innocently,  perhaps /i7z^r/^M',  offended,  all  his  vir- 
tues will  be  thrown  into  the  back  ground,  and  his  foibles 
aggravated  with  the  utmoft  virulence  of  malice  and  re- 
fcntment.  Prejudice  again/},  may  render  the  moft 
amiable  perfon  r/V/Vf^^K,r,  by  concealing  the  ^r<?a/,  and 
bringing  forward  the  little  ;  and  prejudice  for,  may 
give  fome  fort  of  merit  to  the  moft  defpicable  and 
and  abandoned.  Such  a  liberty  of  the  prefs  is  down- 
right licetitioufnefs  ;  and  every  friend  to  order  and  virtue, 
if  he  will  confult  his  own  feelings,  will  not  hefitate  to 
pronounce,  that,  of  all  facred  things,  charader  is 
vicf}  fo. 

If  a  perfon,  however  great,  had  ufed  me  unge^ie- 
roujly,  I  would  certainly  expofe  him  to  public  cenfure, 
and  drag  him  before  the  formidable  tribunal  of  my 
country.  I  would  appeal  from  the  oppreffion  of  any 
individual,  to  the  j^^/?^r^/ equity  and  candour  of  man- 
kind. This,  I  ftiould  conceive,  not  merely  an  aft  of 
juftice  to  myfelf,  but  likevvife  to  the  world.  It  is  a 
conwion  intcreft,  that  tyrants^  hov/ever  high    in   rank, 


54  LETTERS    TO     A 

or  in  fclf-edimation,  fhould  meet  with  their  defcrved 
infamy  and  contempt.  Such  a  difplay  of  true  fpirit 
wonderfully  flops  the  p'-opjrefs  of  defpotifm,  and  teaches 
infolence  the  hard  IcfT^n  of  moderation.  But,  then, 
it  fhould  be  done  in  the  moft  open  manner.  I  would 
candidly  fubfcribe  my  name  to  the  charges,  I  adduced  ; 
and  whilft  I  fhewed  the  world  that  I  feared  not  the 
perfon  of  man,  I  would  convince  mine  adverfary,  that 
I  was  fnr  above  the  mcannefs  of  taking  an  tinuianly  or 
ungenerous  revenge. 

This  honed  courage  was  pofTefTed,  in  an  eminent  de- 
gree, by  the  late  Dr.  Johnfon.  Nothing  has  plcafcd 
me  more  ia  the  hiilory  of  his  lif.',  than  his  truly  mag- 
nanimous condudl  to  the  late  earl  of  Chefterfield.  When 
he  undertook  to  compofe  his  elaborate  dictionary,  he 
follclled  the  favour  of  infcribing  It  to  his  Lordfliip, 
uho  was  then,  if  1  millake  not,  fecretary  of  flate. 
Flattered  with  ahpsaring  the  patron  of  literature,  Chef- 
terfield accepted  the  honour  of  the  dedication,  and  an 
honour  \i  woulJ  ni  ve  hv^eii  to  any  nobleman  in  the  r/orld. 
In  the  progrtfs  oi  this  long  and  tedioui  work,  he  re- 
ceived no  very  folid  marks  of  encouragement  from  his 
patron,  and  fufpcfled  on  the  whole,  that  the  courtly 
peer  meant  only  lo  aviufe  him. 

Johnfon  had  too  much  fpirit  either  to  brook  the  idea 
of  negleft,  the  chicanery  of  a  miniller,  the  violation 
of  a  promife,  or  the  fervility  of  an  abjedt  dependence. 
He  was  not  likely  to  be  dazzled  with  the  glitter  of  a 
coronet,  or  intimidated  with  the  ceremonious  pageantry 
of  office.  He,  therefore,  wrote  a  formal  letter  to  the 
nobleman,  upbraiding  him  with  Infincerity,  difclalmlng 
his  protedtion,  and  affurlng  him,  that  he  did  not  want, 
and  never  would  receive,  any  of  his  favours.  The  con- 
fequence  of  this  fracas  was,  that  l)e  afterwards  flung 
Chefterfield  with  fuch  bitter  invedives,  and  fo  many 
pointed  flrokes  of  raillery  and  fatire,  as  made  him 
heartily  repent  of  having  roufed  his  refentment,  and 
defirous,  at  any  rate,  of  a  reconciliation.  Johnfon, 
however,  perfiltcd  in  his  antipathy,  and  never  after- 
wards,  1  believe,  wrote  a  dedication. 

If  Cheftcriield  intended  only  to  dally  with  the  author 
of  this  didtionary,  he  fhould  certainly  have  confidered, 


YOUNGLADY.  ^^ 

that  men  of  great  abilities  have  too  much  penetration 
not  to  fee  through  any  flimfy  difguifes  of  a  minifter  ; 
too  much  irritability  not  to  be  exafperatcd  with  hypo- 
crify  or  artifice,  and  too  /qfty  a  reliance  on  their  own 
7iative  powers  to  be  afraid  of  any  peer  or  monarch  in 
the  world. 

Johnfon,  it  is  true,  had  not  then  attained  all  his 
eminence  and  diftinftion.  He  was  comparatively,  but 
rifing  into  notice.  The  day  that  fliould  announce  him 
the  hero  of  literature,  was  only  in  its  dawn.  But  con- 
trafted  with  \\\sjrjid  merit,  what  is  the  paltry  tinfcl  of 
ftation,  from  which  feme  people  imnudialcly  become 
fo  fupercillous  and  forbidding  ? 

If  Cherfterfield  did  not  think  the  author  of  the  Ram- 
bler, greater  than  hiinfelf ;  if  from  the  foot  alone,  he 
could  not  prognorticate  the  future  ftrength  and  immenfc 
proportions  of  this  literary  i/crrtt/cv,  he  had  not  a  fjnglc 
grain  of  that  flirewdnefs  or  difcernment,  for  which  he 
has  been  fo  much  complimented  by  the  world. 

Such  is  my  idea  of  the  true  and  genuine  fpirit,  which 
fhou'id  characterise  a  fcholar  and  a  gentleman.  It  is 
not  a  ftiletto,  fiabbing  in  the  dark  but  a  challenge  to 
a  fair  and  generous  onlet,  in  which  your  antagonilt  has 
the  opportunity  of  felf  defcnccj  and  of  managing  all 
his  weapons  to  advantage. 

..^>.....<>...  <Sr><s><^>..<>....<v., 

LETTER        XXV. 

X  H  E  beauty  of  the  Lady  you  allude  to,  was  her 
misfortune.  It  infpirtd  her  with  an  immoderate  vanity, 
and  that  vanity  paved  the  way  to  her  ruin.  It  dug  the 
grave,  in  which  her  peace  and  character  are  now  in- 
tombed. 

And  after  all,  my  dear  girl,  what  /j  this  beauty  ?  It 
is  a  little  clay,  caft  in  an  elegant  mould,  and  by  the 
hand  cf  an  exquifite  arti(l,  fafhioned  into  iomething  of 
fymmetry  and  order.  It  is  a  fmall  mixture  in  the  cheek, 
of  rofes  and  carnations. 

But  who  needs  to  be  informed  that  clay  is  very  periHi-. 


S6  LETTERS     TO     A 

able,  that  rofes  and  carnations  are  but  iox  fummer  mo- 
ments,  and  that  afterwards  there  comes  a  long  autumn 
of  ficknefs,  or  a  ftill  more  dreary  winter  of  infirmity 
and  old  age. 

How  tranfient  are  the  power  and  duration  of  beauty  ! 
How  very  flight  an  accident  or  difeafe  blafts  it  for  ever  ! 
How  fatal  is  a  fever,  the  fmall  pox,  or  a  little  corro- 
ding grief  to  all  its  allurements  !  and  if  they  do  not 
perifli  fooner,  how  dreadfully  are  they  ravaged  by  the 
hand  of  time  ! 

Whilft  fummer  lafts,  a  few,  fluttering  infeds  light 
upon  its  lips,  to  fip  the  fweets.  Some  ftraggling  birds 
of  paffage  chirp  upon  the  neighbouring  fpray,  delighted 
with  a  view  of  the  amiable  objeft.  The  notice  is  en- 
chanting, and  imagination  promifes  that  it  (hall  be 
eternal.  But  the  firft  ftorm,  that  comes,  alas  !  thefc 
feathered  fongftcrs  migrate  to  warmer  climates,  and  a 
ferener  flcy,  leaving  all  its  withered  charms  to  pcrifh  in 
negle^l ! 

Hov,'  ridiculous  is  the  girl,  who  wilfully  fwallows 
the  poifon  of  flattery  for  any  perfonal  charms,  and,  in 
the  height  of  her  iiitoxication,  can  be  infolent  or  con- 
ceited !  What  vvoman  of  fpirit  fhould  not  afpire  to  qua- 
lities, that  are  lefs  accidental  and  lefs  fubjedl  to  change  ! 
What  woman  of  reflexion  fliould  not  refolve  to  adorn 
and  cultivate  a  mind,  whofe  treafures  may  be  inexhaull- 
ible,  and  whofe  attractions  never  die  ? 

I  pity  every  girl,  whom  nature  has  gifted  with  a  very 
pretty  face.  She  feems,  by  the  very  acl,  to  have  marked 
her  out  for  trials  and  temptations,  and  our  ftrength  is 
not  always  in  proportion  to  our  conflidts. 

Mofl:  of  the  unfortunate  ladies,  I  have  known,  have 
been  celebrated  for  their  beauty.  This  has  gathered 
all  the  worthlefs  of  our  fex  about  them ;  and  called 
them  into  battle,  where,  if  they  have  not  fallen,  they 
have  generally  received  confiderable  fears. 

Beautiful  women,  flulhed  with  conqueft,  often  neglect 
the  neccJfaryQ.\J^\.W^i\\o^^  of  their  heart  and  underftanding ; 
and,  if  every  man  would  examine  himfelf  ferioufly, 
and  was  required  to  give  in  a  lift  of  the  females  he  moji 
refpeds,  the  prettieft,  I  believe,  would  not  generally^ 
be  in  the  number. 


YOUNGLADY.  57 


LETTER        XXVI. 


D 


O  you  aflc  for  patterns  of  conduft  after  what  I 
have  faid  of  Louifa  ?  I  do  not  think  you  want  any  ; 
but  1  will  mention  a  few,  which  juft  occur,  and  endea- 
vour to  appreciate  their  merits  or  defcdU. 

Addifon  has  feveral  in  his  Spedlators,  which  arc 
wrought  up  with  inimitable  beauty. 

The  Antiope  of  Cambray,  is  a  charming  pifture,  but 
It  betrays  the  touches  of  a  popifh  ecclefiaftic. 

La'VJ^s  Miranda  is  an  heroine  of  virtue  ;  but  flic 
breathes  too  much  the  aufterity  and  the  abftradion  of 
that  very  animated,  but  peculiar,  writer.  Her  piety 
is  too  monaftic.     It  wants  grace,  cheerfulnefs  and  eafe. 

Richardfon^ s  Clarijfa  has  qualities  above  woman,  and 
her  forrows  plunge  the  reader  into  defpair. 

Mifs  Byron  is  every  thing,  that  is  finifhed  in  a  female. 
We  admire  her  greatly,  but  we  love  her  more.  The 
fiveetnefs  of  the  charader  fwallows  up  its  dignity  ;  in 
the  amiable,  we  forget  the  great.  She  is  precifely 
what  every  man  of  principle  and  tafte  would  have  a 
woman  to  be,  when  he  wifhes  to  be  married,  and  vviflie* 
to  be  happy. 

'SNi\\ifo??je  perfons,  his  Clementina  may  have  her  fu- 
perior  excellencies.  A  paflion,  all  fentiment,  and  all 
direfted  to  the  mindt  and  a  fuperftitious  religion,  in  a 
particular  country,  wholly  vanquifliing  that  paflion,  may 
be  a  fine-fpun,  amufing  {"peculation.  But  to  me  it  ap- 
pears vffionary  and  romantic  ;  and  the  admirers  of  this 
ftory  will  generally,  I  conceive,  be  found  amongft  thofc 
ladies  who  would  gladly  perfuade  us,  that  by  a  rant 
of  goodnefs,  they  can  rife  above  the  innocent  paffions 
of  mortality,  and  all  the  natural  weaknefles  of  their 
fex. 

When  I  wifli  to  be  delighted  and  charmed  with 
woman,    I   would   always  place   before    mc   the  full- 


5S  LETTERSTOA 

length  piece  of  Harriet  Byron.  She  has  fentiment, 
but  (he  has  frailty  ;  (he  has  fpiritj  but  (lie  confefles 
hcrfelf  to  have,   likewife,   viattar  in  her  compofition. 


LETTER        XXVir. 

X_  O  O  R  Loulfa,  notwlthftanding  all  her  goodnefs, 
is,  at  prefent,  in  the  greatell  ^iffllction,  and  for  a  reafon, 
which  refleAs  no  little  honour  on  her  fenfibility  and 
virtue. 

I  have  juft  received  a  letter  from  her  father,  inform- 
ing me,  that  Dr.  ,   Reftor  of    B ,  and   the 

conndentlal  friend  and  intimate  of  their  family,  is  very 
probably  on  his  death  bed.  He  was  lately  cailed  upon, 
it  feen;9,  tovilit  one  of  his  hearers,  who  was  fick  with 
a  putrid,  fore  throat,  and  fever,  and  has  taken  the  in* 
fedlion.  The  phyficians  entertain  but  flender  hopes  of 
his  recovery,  and  Philander  *  has  been  adminKlering 
to  him  that  holy  facrament,  which,  with  prayers  and 
bleORngs,  he  has  himfelf  lo  often,  admlniitered  to  others. 
The  whole  village  is  in  mourning.  All  the  peafante,  I 
am  told,  appear  as  fheep  without  a  fhcpherd. 

This  good  man  was  well  acquainted  with  every  perfon 
in  his  pari(h.  He  thought  it  his  duty,  to  vifit  all  his 
hearers,  to  inveftigate  their  fptritiial<,  as  well  as  tem- 
poral wants,  and  to  remove  the  former,  whilil  he  ex- 
tended a  liberal  fupply  to  the  latter. 

The  death  of  fuch  a  perfon  is  more  than  the  lofs  of 
the  neareft  relatives.  A ^(j<?^ clergyman,  in  the  country ^ 
unites,  in  his  own  perfon,  ail  the  tender  connexions. 
He  is    a   father,   brother,  guardian,  all  in   one.     Dr. 

was  not  only  revered,   as  a  minifter,  but,  in  every 

family,   welcomed,  ds  a  bofom  friend. 

A  religious  pador,  indeed,  never  fully  knows  the 
comforts  of  his  office,  till  he  is  thus  united  to  his  peo- 
ple, *'  till  he  knows  hi-  fhcep,  and  they  follow  him." 
In   fuch   an    intimacy,  hearts  expand  ;  many  excellent 

*  The  father  of  Louifa. 


YOUNG    LADY.  55 

and  feafonable  advices  may  be  given  which  the  folemnity 
of  the  pulpit  would  not  admit  ;  little  griefs  are  unbo- 
fomed  ;  little  perplexities  are  removed,  and  afFedlion 
fprings  up  by  the  fide  of  duty. 

I  am  going  to  make  a  vlfit  to  this  worthy  clergyman, 
and  will  give  you  the  earlicll  intelligence  of  the  ftate  in 
which  I  tind  him. 


LETTER        XXVIII. 

Jj^    H  E  apprehenfions  concerning  Dr. were  but 

too  well  founded.  He  is,  I  do  believe,  in  the  lad  Ilage 
of  his  life.  Death  is  on  the  point  of  clofing  his  eyes, 
and  opening  for  him  the  jutt  reward  of  all  his  labours 
and  his  zeal. 

I  have  been  with  him  almoft  night  and  day,  ever 
fince  I  had  the  plcafure  of  writing  to  you,  and  have 
received  a  (Ironger  leflon,  than  ever,  of  the  vanity  of 
all  earthly  things,  and  the  fupreme  dignity  of  virtue. 

Thefe  folemn  fcenes  wonderfully  improve  the  heart. 
They  ilrip  ambition  of  its  plumage.  The  world  ap- 
pears a  phantom  1  honours  and  promotions  all  a  dream  ! 

Though  I  have  been  much  affedled,  yet  I  have  been 
comforted,  in  an  equal  degree,  by  his  cheerful  piety, 
and  edifying  converfatlon.  His  faith  and  refignation 
rife  fuperior  to  his  pains.  They  are  literally  big  with 
Immortality  ;  and  he  longs  to  be  dlffolved  and  to  be 
with  Chrill. 

Unwearied  and  exemplary  as  he  has  airways  been  \n 
the  difcharge  of  his  palloral  duties,  he  is  continually 
lamenting  his  want  of  zeal,  vigilance  and  exertion. 
The  duties  of  the  miniftry  are,  I  do  believe,  beyond 
human  ability  :  "who,  fall  St.  Paul,  is  fufficient  for 
**  thefe  things  ?"  But  when  I  hear  the  declarations 
of  this  excellent  man,  and  compare,  as  It  is  natural, 
his  example  with  my  own,  I  cannot  but  be  ferioufly 
alarmed,  and  flcctch  out  nothing  for  7//y  onvn  lall  mo- 
ments, but  rcmorfe  and  fears. 

My  good  friend  and  his  lady  have  taken   their   laft 


6o  LETTERSTOA 

leave.  It  would  have  touched  any  heart  to  have  fee* 
this  interview.  I  cannot  do  it  juftlce  by  ivords.  The 
pencil  of  a  Raphael  could  not  fully  reprefent  it.  It 
was  all  heart  and  foul.  Silent  looks  and  viauner  were 
the  principal  language,  and  they  fpoke  indeed  !  Such  a 
woman's  bread  panting  with  grief,  upon  fuch  an  occa- 
fion,  rifes  above  the  powers  of  defcription. 

**  O  (fays  the  expiring  chriftlan,  raifing  his  languid 
eyes  and  endeavouring  to  ufe  a  tongue,  which  death 
had  almoft  palfied,)  "be,  as  you  have  been,  the  com- 
**  forters  of  my  people  (for  they  alas  !  will  feel  a  tran' 
**  Jieni  \oldt)  and  our  friendfhip,  I  doubt  not,  will 
**  fhortly  be  renewed  in  another  life.  Death  can  only, 
*'  for  a  little  time,  feparate  thefe  bodies  :  our  real  inte- 
**  re/?j,  our  fou/j  and  happinefs  muft  ever  be  united.'* 

Louifa  is  inconfolahle.  *'  Tears  have  been  her  meat, 
<*  day  and  night ;  and  her  grief  is  the  heavier,  as  fhe 
is  not  permitted,  from  motives  of  prudence^  to  fee  the 
laft  druggies  of  this  excellent  man,  or  receive  his  blef- 
ilng. 

"  Providence,  (fays  the  accomplifhed  girl,)  has /75'u;, 
*•  but,  <?;?<?  heavier  ftroke  to  inflidt,  and  that  is  the  death 
*♦  of  my  father,  or  my  mother.  Indeed  a y^roW father 
**  he  has  always  been  to  me,  in  the  fulleft  fenfe  of  the 
**  word.  What  has  not  this  good  man  done,  what  has 
**  he  not  ever  faid  to  train  my  youthful  fentiments  to 
<'  virtue,  and  direft  my  fteps  into  the  way  of  peace? 
**  To  him  I  could  difclofe  every  rifing  fear.  To  him  I 
**  could  unbofom  the  anxious  forrow,  that  would  have 
**  lurked  at  my  heart.  But  why  fliould  I  complain  ? 
**  Have  I  not  ftill  a  thoufand  comforts,  fpread  round 
<*  my  retirement  ?  Have  I  not^^-^  two  parents  left,  ac- 
**  complifhed,  as  they  are  tender,  and  watchful,  as 
**  they  are  good  \  It  is  improper  to  grieve.  I  will  dry 
*'  theie  tears.  It  is  the  Lord,  let  him  do  what  feemeth 
"  him  good.  The  good  Abraham  was  required  to  fa- 
**  crifice,  on  the  altar,  with  his  o'vjn  hands,  an  only 
<*  fon.  And  I  fhould  furely  learn  to  refign  without 
"  murmuring,  whenever  it  (hall  fcem  meet  to  his  wif- 
*'  dom  and  goodnefs,  the  neareft  friend." 


YOUNG     LADY.  6t 


LETTER         XXIX. 

i.    H  E    conflict   IS    finifhed.     The  pangs  are  over. 

Dr. is  no   more.      He  is   now,   I    tni(t,   a  bleficd 

fpirit,  and  knows  no  longer  pain,  orforrow,  or  nppre- 
henfion. 

From  the  natural  tendernefs  and  fenfi!)Ih'ty  of  his 
temper  you  may  wonder,  that  he  lived  and  died  niimar- 
rled.  But  it  is  a  fecret,  known  only  to  his  intimate 
friends,  that  he  had  formed  an  attachment,  in  hU  e:^rly 
years,  which  being  difappointed  by  the  death  of  the 
lady,  the  delicacy  of  his  mind  never  ofternxurds  ad- 
mitted of  anolhcr.  His  partiality  was  not  of  the  com- 
mon, fugitive  kind.  It  was  a  deep  ^w^  permanent  im- 
preffion.  Having  once  fondly  loved,  he  atttmpred  to 
love  no  more. 

As  his  private  fortune  wag  comfortable,  and  his  pre- 
ferment, good,  you  will  conclude,  perhaps,  that  he 
died  very  rich.      But  this  is  not  the  cafe.  The  poor 

were  conl'antly  fed  from  his  table,  as  well  as  edified  by 
his  counfcls.  He  was  a  living  example  of  the  charity 
he  recommended,  and  a  witncfs  of  the  truth,  "  that 
it  IS  more  bleffed  to  give  than  to  receive." 

Though  remarkable  for  his  prudence,  as  Vv'ell  as  paf- 
toral  zeal,  yet  having  but  a  few,  diftant  relatives,  who 
were  all  in  very  eafy  circumftances,  he  has  only  left  to 
each,  an  equal  legacy  of  ;^ioo  ;  and  the  remainder  of 
the  ;^50CO,  he  pofTefled,  is  entirely  devoted  to  charit- 
able ufes. 

T.o  each  of  his  three  fervants,  he  has  bequeathed  an 
annual  flipend  of /*20,  on  this  eafy  condition,  however, 
that  they  be  never  abfent,  when  in  healthy  from  the 
church  or  facrament  ;  that  they  always  appear  neat  and 
decent,  and  that  they  lay  up,  from  their  pittance,  one 
fingle  fix  pence  on  the  firft  day  of  every  week,  to  be 
expended  in  charity.  The  refidne  of  his  fortune  is  to 
be  employed,  paitly  in  eftablifhing  a  fund  for  the  dif- 

VoL.  n.  L 


€z  L  E  T  T  E  R  S     T  O     A 

tributlon  of  religious  books  and  traces,  amongfl  th« 
poor  and  ignorant  of  hh  parlfh,  at  the  difcrction  of 
the  mfniflcr  ;  and,  partly,  for  the  clothing  and  educa- 
tinfr  a  fpcclfic  number  of  boys  and  girls  in  a  fchool, 
which  he  had  founded,  and  very  princioally  fiipportcd, 
in  his  life-lime. 

My  friend  and  1  are  joint  exccntors.  To  him  he  has 
dcmifcd  a  confivVrable  part  of  his  excellent  library  ;  to 
me  a  number  of  books,  v\  hich  are  at  once  a  monument 
of  his  talle  and  friendfiiip  ;  to  Mrs. ,  all  the  ele- 
gant furniture  of  his  d:a'.ving-rocm,  and  to  his  fwett, 
and,  as  he  flyles  her,  ever  dear  Louifn,  hif  pidurcs, 
ftatue?,  i)u[\s  and  pctrefactions,  bcfide  a  number  of  lU- 
votiofial  authors,  gilt  and  finiflied  with  an  elegance  and 
beauty,  which  exprefs  the  opinion  he  had  jullly  con- 
•eived  of  her  cultivated  mind. 

When  the  poor  girl  was  informed  of  this  legacy,  (he 
burd  into  a  fljod  of  tears,  nor  could  all  the  tender  of* 
fices  of  her  friends  confole  her.  **  How  infupportable-, 
**  (faid  (he,)  is  this  man's  generofity  !  with  what  a 
**  cruel  kindnefs  docs  he  haunt  m.e  after  death  !  Had  it 
*'  not  been  for  this  perhaps,  t  fhould  more  eafily  have 
*'  learned  the  hard  IcHbn  of  refignation.  But  this  ten- 
**  dernefs  renews  my  grief,  and  tears  open  afrcfii  the 
**  wounds,  which  I  have  been  fummoning  all  my  forti- 
*'  tude  to  clofe.  But  why  mud  I  not  fee  this  good 
**  man  on  his  death-bed,  to  teftify,  for  the  laft  time, 
**  the  warmth  of  my  gratitude,  and  the  fincerity  of 
*'   my  eftcem  ? 

*'  But  tell  me,  ye,  who  Were  admitted  to  his  pre-. 
*♦  f>;nce,  what  faid  he  of  me,  In  his  latell  moments? 
*«  Did  he,  then,  at  all  recollect  his  Louifa  ?  Did  he 
**  even  glance  at  fo  humble  a  name  ?  Did  he  fend  me 
**  one  precious  word  of  advice  ?  Did  he  conjure  me 
♦*  never  to  for/^et  his  direftions  .'*  Did  he  bid  m.e  to  be 
"  virtuous,  ^id  he  bid  me  to  be  happy  ?  Yes,  blciTed 
<'  fpirii,  1  will  remember  thy  example  :  I  wil!  treafure 
**  up  thy  counfels.  Thy  iullrut^Lions  fliall  n;;ver  fade. 
•'  Thy  memory  fliallbe  immortal.'* 

And,  now,  what  is  your  opinion  of  Louifa  ?  What 
think  you  of /«r/;  a  clergyman?  What  are  digniiits, 
compared  withfuch  virtues  ^  What  arc  kingdoms,  con- 


YOUNGLADY.  63 

trafted  with  fach  joys  ?  Should  not  hiftory  eaibalm  his 
relics,  and  (hould  not  gratitude  pour  over  his  undying 
memory,  an  undying  perfume  ? 


LETTER        XXX. 


I 


REJOICE  to  hear  that  you  have  fo  great  a  talle 
for  painiingG.  You  will  find  it  an  inexhaullible  fourcc 
of  pleafurc  and  iaiprovemsiit.      For, 

*"*   Each  pl<"aring  art  lends  foftnefs  to  our  minds, 
«*   And  with  our  Uudies,   are  our  lives  refinM.'* 

1  will  give  ycu  a  very  handfome  eulogy  on  this  art,  In 
the  words  of  a  «;reat  v^'riter,  Quintilian.  **  Pi<5turc 
*'  (f'^ys  he,)  a  filciif  and  unifornr)  addrefs,  yet  penetrates 
*'  (o  deeply  into  our  inmoll  affecftions,  that  it  Teems  of- 
**  ten  to  exceed  even  the  powers  of  eloquence.  Its 
**  efFefts,  indeed,  are  fomctimes  amazing.  It  is  faid, 
**  that  Alexander  trembled  and  grew  pale,  on  feeing  a 
**  pidlure  rf  Pnlamcdes,  betrayed  to  death  by  his 
**  friends  ;  it  bringing  to  his  mind  a  ftinging  remem- 
**  brance  of  his  treatment  of  Ariftonicus.  Portia  could 
**  bear,  with  an  unfhaken  conllancy,  her  lad  feparation 
**  from  Brutus  ;  but  when  (he  faw,  fome  hours  after,  a 
**  picture  of  the  parting  of  Hetlor  and  Andromache, 
**  fhc  burft  into  a  flood  of  tears.  Full  as  feemed  her 
**  forrow,  the  pninter  fuggelled  new  ideas  of  giief,  or 
**  impreflVd  more  llrongly  her  o-xvn  ** 

Your  queftion  concerning  the  fuperiority  of  the  an- 
cients or  moderns  In  this  particular,  is  very  tafily  an- 
fwered.  In  moll,  if  not  a^/  the  fine  arts,  indeed,  the 
former,  according  to  my  apprehenfion,  are  abfolutely 
unrivalled.  By  the  ancients,  L  ;io^  mean,  particularly 
the  Greeks. 

Whether  it  was  owing  to  the  particular   nature  and 

freedom  of  their  government—  to  the  fupcrior  honours 

and  encouragement   that  were  lavliiied   on   genius  and 

the  arts  in   this  more  early  period  of  fociety — whether 

I  2 


64  LETTERS     TO     A 

to  any  particular  fuperiovlty  of  organization  in  the  na- 
tives of  this  country — whether  to  its  beautiful  fcenery 
or  the  ailc<Torical  nature  of  a  rch'gion,  which  fo  much 
called  painting,  poetry  and  fculpiure  into  exercife— or 
whether  we  may  not  alcribe  it  to  an  happy  cojnhtnation 
of  all  thcfe  feparate  caufcs,  it  is  certain,  that  their  tafte 
and  imagination  were  exquifitc  beyond  ihofe  of  any 
other  people,  and  produced  a  degree  of  excellence  io 
their  artiils,  that  we  cannot  Hnd  in  any  other  age  or 
countiy  of  the  world. 

Raphael,  whom  all  Europe  has  fo  much  praifed,  ex- 
celled only,  as  he  formed  himfelf  upon  the  model  of 
the  Greeks,  I'he  Italians  (obfervcs  an  able  judge,} 
may  excel  in  colouring  ;  but  compofilion,  drawing,  the 
art  of  grouping,  attitude,  movement,  expreffion,  con- 
trail, drapery,  charader  and  grace — all  thefc,  ihis  great 
genius  conftfTedly  borrowed  from  the  ancient  ilatues 
and  bas  reliefs. 

Palladio  is  the  firft  of  architefts,  Michael  Angelo, 
Fiammingo,  Algardi,  the  mofl  celebrated  fculptors, 
only  for  the  fame  reafon  ;  they  ftudied  the  Greeks.  Yet 
Au'^elo  was  the  boldclb  genius,  that  Italy  ever  had. 
**  It  was  he,  who  conceived  the  idea  of  placing  the 
pantheon  in  the  air,  and  conllruded  the  dome  of  St. 
Peter's  on  the  fame  dimenfions." 

Nor  in  letters  were  the  Greeks  lefs  the  model  of  per- 
fedlion.  To  emulate  their  bell  writers  has  been  the 
ambition  of  every  fucceeding  age.  And  excellence  has 
been  attained  only  in  proportion  to  the  fuccefsfulncfs 
of  this  imitation. 

The  firft  and  moft  complete /oc*;//  in  the  world,  1*3 
Grecian — the  Iliad  of  Homer.  It  unites  all  the  I'epa- 
rate,  aftonifliing  excellencies  of  this  moil  dijfficult  fpe- 
cies  of  compofition  ;  the  majellic,  the  terrible,  the  pa- 
thetic and  the  fublime.  Naturalills,  philofophers, 
painters,  poets,  orators,  metaphyficians  have  all,  in 
various  methods,  dug  from  this  mine,  and  Hill  left  it 
full  of  inexhau'.lible  treafures.  It  is  proverbiidly  known 
how  much  the  great  Roman  orator  fludied  Homer,  and 
Indeed  how  much  he  has  been  praifed  by  the  whole 
world.      I  will  give  you  a  few  teftimonies  in  his  favour. 

The  firft  critic,  that  ever  exifted,  is  Longinus,  who 


Y  O  U  N  G     L  A  D  Y.  6$ 

wrote  a  treatife  on  the  Sibllaic  :     This  is  h's  opinion 
of  the  Iliad  ? 

'•  Thofe  only,  who  liave  fublime  and  folid  thoughts, 
**  can  make  elevated  difcourfes,  and,  in  this  part,  Ho- 
**  mer  chiefly  excels,  whofe  thoughts  are  all  fublime, 
**  as  may  be  feen  in  the  defcription  of  the  goddefs, 
*'  Difcord,  who  has,  fays  he,  her  head  in  the  flcies, 
*'  and  her  feet  upon  earth  ;  for  it  may  be  faid,  that 
**  that  grandeur  which  he  gives  her,  is  lefs  the  meafure 
**  of  Difcord,  than  of  the  capacity  and  elevation  of 
"  Homer's  genius." 

Treatife  on  the  Suhlhne, 

Again  in  another  place  :  "  To  Homer,  that  is,  to 
**  him,  who  had  received  the  applaufes  of  the  whole 
**   world." 

And,  in  a  third  paflage,  mentioning  the  number 
of  men,  who  had  endeavoured  to  imitate  Homer,  he 
obferves  : 

•*  Plato,  however,  is  he,  who  has  imitated  him  moil, 
**  for  he  hr.s  drawn  from  this  poet,  as  from  a  living 
*'  fpring,  from  which  he  has  turned  an  infinite  number 
<'  of  rivulets." 

Another  excellent  judge  is  Horace,  wh(»  bears  to  this 
prince  of  poets,  this  honourable  teftimony,  that  he 
taught  philofophy  better  than  many,  who  were  philofo- 
phers  by  profejJJon. 

A  third  critic  of  no  Inconfiderable  talents  has  thefe 
lines  in  his  favour  : 

On  diroit  que  pour  plaire  inllruit  par  la  nature 
Homere  ait  a  Venus  derobe  fa  ceintuie  ; 
Son  livre  eft  d'agremens  un  fertile  trefor, 
Tout  ce  qu'il  a  touchc  fe  convertit  enor. 

Pope's  opinion  of  him  it  is  not  necefTary  to  recite  ; 
and  the  Jerufalem  Delivered  of  a  great  author,  is,  from 
beginning  to  end,  a  tacit  comment  on,  for  it  is  an  at- 
tempt to  imitate,  his  great nefs. 

Let  me  not  omit  the  compliment  of  Dante,  for  It  is 
worth  recording : 


66  LETTERS    TO     A 

X^egli  e  Omero  poeta  fovrano 
Signor  dell'  altlflimo  canto 
Che  fovra  gli  altrl,  come  Aquila,  vola. 

The  bed  writers  of  the  Auguflan  age  of  Rome  formed 
thcmftlvcs  confidtrably  on  Grecian  models.  The  mofl 
perfcd  author'  in  England,  France  and  Italy  ;  Addi- 
fon,  Pope,  Racine,  Boileau,  TafTo  and  MetaUafio 
took  ihcj  fame  method  to  arrive  at  perfection  ;  and  one 
might  challenge  the  whole  world  to  produce  any  other 
poem,  like  the  Ill;id  ;  an  orator,  equal  to  Dcmoftheres  ; 
fiich  a  finifned  tragedy  as  the  Ocdijius  of  Sophocles  ; 
a-y  figure  in  marble,  like  the  Belvedere  Apollo  ;  fuch 
fine  and  light  drapery,  as  that  of  the  Flora,  or  a  female 
Le.^uty,  as  pei  fed  as  the  Venus  of  Medici. 

The  great  Montefquieu  was,  for  fome  time,  in  Italy, 
and,  as  you  may  fuppofc,  no  fuperficial  obferver.  This 
was  his  decifion  concerning  the  Greeks.  **  Talle  and 
*'  the  arts  have  been  carried  by  them  to  fuch  an  height, 
"  that  to  think  to  furpafs,  would  be  always  not  to 
**   knov/  them." 

I  have  been  thus  difFufe  on  a  fubjedt,  that  may  ap- 
pear, but  isy  by  no  means,  foreign  to  your  improve- 
nicnt,  or  above  your  comprehenfion,  merely  tiiat  )ou 
might  form  jull  ideas  in  your  favourite  art;  that  you 
might  knovt'  why  we  fay  fo  much  of  clafiic  or  ancient 
writers  ;  and  why  every  perfon  (hould  emulate  their  man- 
ner, who  wifhes,  even  by  a  fingle  fcntence,  to  plcafe. 
I  will  clofe  this  letter  with  adding  my  (?ii;«  grateful  tri- 
bute to  the  venerable  fhade  of  a  bard,  that  fo  much  de- 
lighted my  early  years,  and  yet  fills  me  with  a  pleafing 
enthufiafm,  every  time  I  perufe  him.  I  will  ufc  the 
words  of  a  French  writer  : 

Recois  Teloge  pur,  Thommage  marile  ; 
Je  le  dois  a  ton  nom,  conime  a  la  verite. 

Art  lie  la  Guerre, 

Receive  this  pure  applaufe,  this  homage  due 
To  thy  great  name,  becaufe  I  know  'tis  true. 


YOUNGLADY.  6^7 


LETTER        XXXI. 

1.  H  E  Italians  excel  in  fome  of  the  fine  arts.  In 
miifiCi  perhaps,  they  iray  julHy  claim  a  deciTive  fupe- 
rlority.  Of  c-i>/o«r/V/§- they  are  great  ma fters.  Amongft 
many  other  dlllinguifhcd  painters,  they  boa(l  a  Cor- 
reggio.  No  one  could  do  more  honour  to  any  nation. 
He  is  the  very  pupil  of  nature,  and  has  wonderfully 
united  elegance  and  cafe.  If  Raphael  fliines  in  the 
m:ijfjiici   he  has  ail  X.\\c/oft  and  amiable  graces. 

In  landfcape  painting,  Italy  is  unrivalled.  Thofe  of 
Claude  Lorrain,  are  fuperior  to  any  other  mailer's.  Per- 
haps one  reafon  is,  the  beauty  of  the  fcenep,  from 
which  they  are  taken.  Viewed  colleftively,  there  is 
not,  I  fhould  conceive,  a  more  delightful  and  enchant- 
ing country.  It  feems  to  mingle  all  the  foft  and  mildt.r 
beauties  of  clitnatc,  with  the  magnificent  and  tremend" 
ous ;  gentle  hiils,  rich  vallies,  fruitful  extenfive  vine- 
yards, with  craggy,  rugged  precipices,  with  the  pc^r- 
tentous  afpe(5l  and  caverns  of  iEtna  ;  the  bay  of  Na- 
ples, with  the  formidable  grandeur  and  thunder  of  Ve- 
fuvio. 

No  place  has  been  the  fcene  of  fo  many  memorable 
events,  or  given  birth  to  inch  a  number  of  fliftini;ui{hed 
men.  Tafcany  produced  Dante,  Petr:irch,  and  Mi- 
chael Angelo  ;  Livy  was  born  at  Padua;  Titian  at 
Venice,  and  Arioflo  at  Ferrara.  Urbino  is  juflly  proud 
of  Raphael,  and  Parma  df  Corregio.  Rome  claims 
Tacitus  and  Lucretius  ;  Arpinum,  Cicero,  and  Venu- 
f:um,    Horace. 

If  my  lelfure  and  opportunities  had  been  equal  to  my 
wiibes,  [  fliould  have  gloried  in  traverfing  this  country. 
Every  ftep  would  have  had  a  peculiar  interell,  and  every 
fcene  revived  thofe  glowing  defcriptions  of  a  Virgil  or 
an  Horace,  that  fafcinated  my  ^^r//'^^  years.  When  a 
perfon  has  been  fome  time,  in  the  world,  whatever  re- 
calls the/r/?  days  of  life,  adminifters  the  fwecteftplca- 

14 


68  L  E  T  T  E  R  S    T  O    A 

fure.      It    is  the  pidure  of  innocence  and  tranquillity» 
whllft  our  niauuer  age  is  often  a  bullle  or  a  ftorm. 

In  ancient  ilome,  it  was  a  confefTed  niaxim,  that 
true  politcnofs  and  talle  were  derived  from  the  Grecians. 
And  the  Italian  artifts  flili  owe  much  of  their  excel- 
lence to  ihe  primitive  mafters. 

Tlie  j'////\j/ v  talle  of  the  Italians  is  very  exceptionable. 
It  is  a  falfe  fuhlime,  a  fiditious  glitter,  and  a  barren 
abnndancc,  and  has  lod  the  true  Attic  fait  of  nature, 
of  truth  and  fimplicity.  Hence  they  are  faid  to  preftr 
the  gothic  works  of  Dante,  the  abfurdities  of  Ariofto, 
tiie  extravagances  of  Marini,  and  the  tinfel  puciiliiies 
oi  TafTo,  to  the  tender  and  impafiioned  defcriptions  of 
Meiaftafio. 

The  Frsnzh  feem  to  think  themfelves  exclufive  pro- 
prietors of  every  thing,  that  goes  under  the  denomina- 
tion of  tafte.  And,  indeed,  they  are  univcrfally 
efteemed  a  pollfhed,  eafy,  graceful  and  feducing  people. 
Few  of  their  writers,  however,  have  much  of  (\\t  pro- 
Jour.di  or  that  bids  fair  for  duration.  Of  all  peoj/.c, 
ihey  feem  leaR  to  have  Iludied  the  ciniTics.  Their  i'iyle, 
in  general,  wants  energy  and  compa^lnefs.  In  ih,iny 
words,  they  communicate  but  /cfiu  ideas,  and  their 
imagination  is  permitted  to  run  TtvY^wichout  hearkening 
to  the  fober  di£^ates  of  judgment.  Though  trees  in 
blofibm  are  a  beautiful  obje(^,  yet  the  folld  advantage 
lies  in  \\i^\x  fruit.  I  could  except  many  great  names 
from  this,  apparetitly,  invidi(;Lis  cenfure.  One,  parti- 
cularly, I  will  mention — that  is  Montefquitu.  This 
man  will  do  them  honour  with  all  other  nations,  and 
the  moll  diftant  polterity.  His  Ejprit  de  Loix  is,  in- 
deed, a  moll  Jiftoniniiiig  pfrformance.  It  unites  the 
depth,  the  phlegm  and  patience  of  fome  other  coun- 
tries,  with  the  vivacity  of  that,   in  which  it  fprung. 

I  do  not  think  that  England  is,  by  any  means,  either 
from  climate,  or  other,  foltcring  circumftances,  the 
natural  foil  of  ihc  fne  arts.  The  hot  bed  of  riches  it 
is  true,  has  raif'id  a  few  exotics i  in  this  way  to  a  fupe- 
x'xoT  favour ;  and  public  encouragement  called  forth 
many  virtuofos  from  other  countries.  But,  in  fafl,  we 
are  too  much  engaged  with  trade  and  politics  to  culti- 
vate, in  any  extraordinary  degree,    the/"/;.'/*  emotions. 


YOUNG     LADY.  6^ 

Commercial  habits,  manufadurcs,  and  the  love  of  mo- 
ney, wherever  they  prevail,  will  always  be  the  grave 
of  virtti  aiid  of  tade.  In  point  of  po/ile  learning  this 
kingdom  has,  long  fince,  according  to  my  apprehtnfion, 
been  at  Its  zenith.  The  fun  of  Its  Augultan  age  ap- 
pears to  be  fet.  But  for /;/-^/o«/^<:/ knowledge  and  genius, 
no  nation,  perhaps  In  the  known  world  /?as  been  more 
dlftlnguKhed.  Shakcfpeare,  Milton,  Locke,  Sir  Ifaac 
Newton  !  what  other  country  can  produce  fuch  a  group  ? 
Nor  (hall  we  want  models  of  the  moft  graceful  In  nvri- 
thgi  vv'hilft  we  can  read  the  works  of  Addlfon,  many 
papers  in  the  World,  the  Letters  of  Lady  Wortley 
Montague,  or  thofe  of  Chefterfield. 

I  do  not  mean  to  deny,  but  {.hixi  general  felt  nee  Is  more 
cultivated  amongft  the  moderns,  than  It  ever  was  by  the 
ancienis,  and,  In  the  prefent  age,  more  than  at  any 
former  period  whatever.  Natural  phllofophy  In  all  its 
branches,  chemldry,  mathematics,  hiflory,  politics, 
jurifi^rudence,  and  the  mechanical  arts  have  arrived  to 
a  wonderful  degree  of  perfection,  and  are  dally  receiv- 
ing frefh  acceffions  of  improvement.  But  I  mull  ilill 
aficrt,  that  polite  learning  feems  to  have  fiouriflied  mod 
In  the  days  of  Swift,  Pope  and  Addlfon.  What  can 
be  the  reafon  ?  Is  It  that  being  then  more  new,  as  hav- 
ing but  juft  emerged  from  the  darknefs  of  the  times,  it 
was  treated  with  that  fuperlor  refpedl  and  deference, 
we  extend  to  a  llranger?  Is  there  a  greater  dearth  of 
real  genius?  That  we  cannot  fuppofe,  if  we  give  our- 
fclves  or.ly  Icifure  to  confider  the  many  exalted  charac- 
ters, which  Britain  boafts.  The  cafe,  I  think,  is  clear, 
that  a  moft  extended  commerce  hasdebafed  onr  feelings 
and  vitiated  our  tafle  ;  that  the  grand, /)c///7/V^/ Inttretts 
of  the  nation,  as  It  Is  ronv  clrcumllanced,  require  a 
moft  unremitting  attention  ;  that  the  high  road  to  ho- 
nours and  emoluments  chiefly  lying  through  the  bar 
or  fcnate,  thegreattft  talents  in  the  kingdom  are  turned 
into  thefe  chnnncl?.  Men  rather  chooTe  to  wrangle  and 
debate  themfelves  Into  aftiuence  and  titles,  than  ftarve 
on  the  mtxtfiadonuy  kuwQ  of  an  elegant  produftion. 

Wherever  there  Is  iiope  of  patronage,  genius  fprlngs 
of  couife  j  and  though  his  prefent  Majelly  has  al.vays 
I  5 


:o  L  E  T  T  E  R  S    T  O    A 

been  a  liberal  encourager  of  polite  knowledge,  yet  no- 
thing can  efFedually  counteradl  the  wide,  and  mod  uq- 
limited  agency  of  this  national  fituation. 

Many  writers,  in  our  Auguftan  age,  arrived  by  their 
labours  merely,  not  only  to  confiderable  affluence,  bat 
to  high  diilIn<i\ions.  They  were  carefTed  and  honoured 
in  the  mod  faHiionable  circle?.  To  reward  and  patro- 
nize talents,  was  a  glory  and  a  pride.  It  is  very  ob- 
fervable,  that  all  the  grcnt,  literary  charadlers  of  the 
prefcnt  times,  who  were  born  neareil  to  the  period, 
which  I  have  defcrlbed,  retain  mo'.t  of  this  liberal,  pa- 
tronizing  fplrit.  I  could,  with  great  truth  andi  feeling 
mention  forne  names,  \i  fituation  and  peculiar  circum- 
ftances  would  not  expofe  me  to  x\\tfalfe  fufpicion  of 
intending  to  pronounce  fulfome  panegyrics.  But  will 
not  the  whole  world  acquit  me  of  partiality,  if  I  glance 
at  fuch  illurtrloua  names  as   the  A — b — p   of  Y — k, 

the  prefent  Lord  C 1 r,  or  the  Earl  of  M— s- 

f— d? 

LETTER        XXXIL 


\ 


Y 


OUR  knowledge  of  the  Italian  language  is  much 
fuperior  to  my  own.  The  little  that  I  have,  was  ac- 
quired merely  to  read  a  few  produflions  of  their  befl 
authors,  and  be  able  to  form  fome  comparative  idea  of 
their  merits  or  deFefls. 

I  am  far  from  denying  to  this  people  the  praife  of 
great  geiiius.  But  I  fhould  fuppofe,  that  it  is  not  pro- 
perly cultivated,  and  the  reafon,  perhaps,  may  be, 
that,  in  jn:dern  Italy,  learning  meets  but  with  little 
encouragement. 

The  bad  tade  of  the  Italians  in  poetry^  is  obvioua 
from  many  inltances.  Dante,  in  their  eftlmation,  is 
fuperior  to  all  men  ;  and  Arlollo,  whom  they  coiilider 
as  much  beneath  him,  they  exalt  far  above  Homer  him- 
felf. 

Dante  had,  doubtlefs,  wonderful  abilities.  He  rifes, 
in  many  inllances,  to  thefubllme  ;  and,  for  the  times, 


YOUNG     LADY.  yr 

in  which  he  lived,  may  julUy  be  confidered  as  a  literary 
■prodioy.  But  his  work,  on  the  whole,  is  but  a  gothic 
mafs  of  various  kinds  of  knowledge  ftrangely  heaped 
together  without  arrangement,  defign,  or  perfpicuity. 
To  compare  him  with  the  author  of  the  Iliad,  is  to  be- 
tray  a  total  want  of  all  the  principles  of  enlightened 
criticifm. 

Arlofto  fhines  in  narrative.  He  tells  a  ftory  with 
gracefulnefs  and  eafe.  Some  of  his  defcriptions  are 
particularly  fplendid  ;  and  his  Orlando  Furiofo  is  a 
lively,  and  wonderfully  various  produdlion.  But  how" 
frequently  does  he  fall  into  ridiculous  abfurdities,  where 
he  entirely  lofes  fight  of  nature  and  of  truth,  forget- 
ting that  excellent  ruleof  a  judicious  critic  : 

Tout  dolt  tendre  au  bon  fens  ; 
Bien  n*eft  beau  que  le  vrai,  le  vrai  feul  eft  aimable. 

'LtZtfenfe  be  ever  in  your  view. 
Nothing  is  beautiful,  that  is  not  true  ; 
The  true  alone  is  lovely. 

Taffo's  Gerufalemnie  Liherata  has,  indifputably,  great 
merit.  The  fubjeft  is  grand,  and  very  hapj>ily  chofen  ; 
the  language,  elegant  ;  the  verlification,  harmonious  : 
but  who  can  fay,  that  \l  does  not  abound  with  falfe 
thoughts,  with  infinite  indances  oS.  playing  upcfi  'words 
and  a  prodigious  quantity  of  tinfel,  or  that  it  is  not, 
in  the  mairiy  disfigured  with  low  conceits,  and  trifling 
puerilities. 

No  Italian  writer  inierejls  fo  much,  or  has  fo  nicely 
developed  the  human  heart,  as  Mctaftafio.  He  had 
great  advantages  by  being  introduced,  at  an  early  pe- 
riod of  his  life,  into  the  family  of  the  celebrated  Gra- 
vlnn,  and  there  learning  to  explode  the  falfe  tafte  of  his 
country  :  He  formed  himfelf  on  the  model  of  the  an- 
cients. He  took  Boilcau  and  Horace  for  his  guides, 
and  few  men  have  fucceeJed  better  in  painting  tender 
fcenes,  or  leaving  a  durable  impreifian  on  the  heart. 
Read  his  Canzoncttes,  particularly  that  which  begins 
with  Grazie  agl*  inganfii  tuoi  ;  and  tell  me  whether  I 
have  formed  au  iinproper  judgment. 


LETTERS    TO    A 
LETTER        XXXIIL 


I 


HAVE  now  finlftied  my  recommendation  of  au- 
thors. I  am  apprel'enfive,  indeed,  of  having  mentioned 
too  many.  But  from  the  whole  you  c?i\\  fele^i  the  few, 
you  h'ke,  or  whicli  it  is  moll  convenient  for  you  to  pur- 
chafe. 

Some  of  thefe  books,  particularly  thofe,  which  treat 
on  reli'^ious  Uibjefts,  may  not  entertain  you  fo  much 
at  prefent,  as  they  will  at  fome  future  period,  when  your 
tafte  and  judgment  are  more  effctlually  ripened  ;  but  I 
did  not  know  whether  then  I  might  have  the  opportu- 
nity of  writing  to  you,  or  whether  I  fhould  even  be 
in  the  world;  and  I  wifhed  to  give  yon  fomcthing  of  a 
fyjieinatic  plan,  that  might  be  confulted  through  every 
llagc  of  your  life. 

The  ciiticifms  upon  books,  charaftcrs,  &c.  have  not 
been  introduced  from  a  fallidious  fpirit,  or  with  a  view 
of  difplaying  learning  and  talents,  but  to  exercife  and 
improve  j<;//r  ^//?r/w/«^//V;^  faculties,  and  erdiven  the, 
otherivijl's  dull  uniformity  of  didadic  letters.  I  have 
only  prefumed  to  give  my  opinion  ;  and  to  //vV,  in  a 
land  of  liberty,  and  in  an  enlightered  age,  [  conceive 
njyfeif  to  have  an  equal  right  with  the  firft  fcholar,  or 
critic  of  the  world. 

Lonif'jy  you  well  know,  is  not  tl  firritioust  but  a  real 
charafter ;  and,  though  my  partiality  may  have  heigh- 
tened her  merit,  yet  after  all,  it  ib  iucxprciTibiy  great  ; 
and  1  introduced  her,  as  a  pattern  of  female  graces, 
mtreiy  to  avoid  the  formality  of  precepts,  and  the 
anikoritathv'  ^\r^  of  a  teacher.  I  confidered  this  mvode, 
as  likely  t(^  communicate  fome  little /«/tv^/  and  variety 
to  my  letters  ;  and  that  appeared  to  me  a  motive,  which, 
with  all  young  people,  fhould  be  confuHed. 

On  the  whole,  confider  me  not  as  dogviatiz'mg^  btit 
only  as  communicating  to  you,  v,  ith  great  freedom  and 
fincerity,  the  bell  fentiments,  1  can  ;  thofe,  which 
convince  your  underflanding,  receive  with  candour  ;  the 
rtft  rejed,  and  do  not  fancy  me  fo  conceited,  as  even 


Y  O  U  N  a     I,  A  D  Y.  73 

for  a  moment,  ro  have    peifuaded  myfclf  that  from  viy 
tribunal,  there  h'cs  no  appeal. 

LETTER         XXXIV. 

MY    DEAR     LUCY, 

JL  F  I  was  called  upon  to  write  the  hillory  of  a  nuoman's 
trials  and  forrows,  I  would  date  it  horn  the  moment 
when  nature  has  pronounced  her  -inarriageahU'^  and  Hie 
feels  that  innocent  defire  of  affoclating  witli  the  other 
fex,  which  needs  not  a  blufh.  If  I  had  a  girl  of  my 
own,  at  tJiis  critical  age,  1  jfhould  be  full  of  the  keeneft 
apprehenlions  for  her  iafety  j  and,  like  the  great  poet, 
when  the  tempter  was  bent  on  feducing  our  hrft  parents 
from  their  innocence  and  happinefs,  1  (hould  invoke 
the  afliftance  of  fome  guardian  angel,  to  condudl  her 
through  the  flippery  and  dangerous  paths. 
You  mull  remember  the  paflage  ; 

"  O  for  that  warning  voice,  which  he,  who 
<*  heard,"  &c. 

Marriage  is,  doubtlefs,  the  moft  natural,  innocent 
and  uftful  rtate,  if  you  can  form  it  to  any  tolerable  ad- 
vantage. It  bids  faircft  for  that  little  portion  of  hap- 
pinefs, which  this  life  admits  ;  and  is,  in  fome  degree, 
a  duty  which  we  owe  to  the  woild.  If  entered  into 
from  proper  motives,  it  is  a  fource  of  the  greatell  be- 
nefits to  the  conwninityi  as  vveli  as  of  private  comfort 
to  ourfelvts.  What  are  the  highell  bkffings,  unfweet- 
ened  l)y  fociety  ?  How  poignant  are  njany  forrows  of 
life,  withoul  a  iriend  to  alleviaie  and  divide  them  !  How 
many  are  the  m.oments,  how  many  are  the  exigencies, 
in  which  we  want  fympathy,  tcnderncfs,  attention  i 
And  what  is  a  rnQpingifidiviJualto  the  world, comparctl 
with  the  woman  who  a£ls  in  the  tender  charader  of  a 
wife,  or  p.jtnt,  and,  by  a  religious  culture  of  an  ofF- 
fpring,  is  training  up  inhabitants  for  the  kingdom  of 
hcavcu. 


74  LETTERS    TO     A 

A  ftngle  woman  is,  particularly,  defencelefs.  She 
cannot  move  beyond  the  precinfts  of  her  houfe  with- 
out apprehenfions.  She  cannot  go  with  eafe  or  Tifety, 
into  public.  She  is  funounded  with  many,  real  dan- 
gers, and  fancy  conjures  up  more  fpedlres  of  its  own, 
to  diilurb  her  repofe. 

As  flie  goes  dov/n  the  hill  o{  life,  her  friends  ^r^^i^- 
ally  drop  away  from  her,  like  leaves  in  the  autumn, 
and  leave  her  a  \i\n\ngy  folitary  creature.  Even  brothers 
and  Jijiers  when  married  themfclves,  lofe  their  ufual 
fondnefs  for  /vr,  in  the  ardours  of  a  newly  acquired 
connexion  ;  and  fne  wanders  through  a  wide,  buftling 
world,  uncomfortable  in  herfcif,  un'nterefting  to  others, 
frequently  the  fport  of  wanton  riilicule,  or  a  proverb 
of  reproach. 

Men  are  often  too  much  engrofled  with  bufinefs, 
ambition,  or  criminal  purfuits,  to  think  very  ferioufly 
of  this  connexion  ;  but  if  they  happen  to  remain  Jingle, 
their  very  efforts  become  their  ainufement,  and  keep 
them  from  experiencing  that  ufiquiet  indolence,  which, 
by  enervating  the  mind,  powerfully  awakens  imagina- 
tion and  the  fenfes.  A  ivoman  has  abundant  leifure 
to  brood  over  her  inquietude,  and  to  nurfe  the  vapours, 
till  they  terminate  in  difeafe.  She  has  not  fo  many 
methods  for  diffipating  thought.  Her  element  is  her 
houfeholdy  and  the  management  of  her  children  ;  and 
till  fhe  becomes  a  mother^  fhe  has  not  objefts  of  confe- 
quence  enough  to  occupy  the  mind,  and  preferve  it 
from  feeling  unpleafant  agitations. 

I  mean  not,  however,  to  infinuate,  that  there  is 
any  thing  really  reproachful  in  virginity^  unlefs  a  wo- 
man choofes  to  render  it  fuch,  by  verifying  the  ftlgmas, 
which  have  been  fixed  upon  it,  zm\  fubjlantiatingy  in 
her  oiun  pra<5llce,  the  malevolence,  envy,  fcandal,  cu- 
rioGty  and  fpleen,  which  have,  fo  often,  fareafically 
been  imputed  to  thtjiferhood.  It  7nay  be,  and,  fome- 
times,  /'/,  the  choice  of  very  amiable  women,  who 
v/ould  not  marry  any,  but  the  man  of  their  affections, 
or  with  whom  they  had  a  r.^/Zo;?^/ profpe6l  f  f  happi- 
nefs;  who  having  been  by  death  or  difappoiutment 
deprived  of  one,  had  a  delicacy,  that  ncv.r  admitted 
the  idea  of  a  fecond,    attachment,  or  who  were  no  fo 


YOUNGLADY.  75 

devoid  of  principle  and  tafte,  as  to  be  conneflcd  with 
a  dijfolutey  drunken,  or  ahandomd  perfon,  whatever 
might  be  his  fortune,  or  conftqucnrt  or  connexions. 
Women,  who  aft  from  fuch  principles,  may  be  ex- 
pofed  to  the  indelicate  fcofis  of  the  liceniion:^  hut  mull 
have  the  unrefervcd  eileem  and  veneration  of  all  the 
fenfible  and  the  good. 

It  fhould  not,  however,  be  diffembled,  (for  it  arifes 
from  natural  principles,)  that  viarricd  women  are 
generally  more  plcafing,  than  fuch,  as  never  formed 
this  connexion.  Their  heart  is  continually  refnied, 
foftencd  and  enlarged  by  the  exercile  of  all  the  terider 
feelings  to  an  oirvpring,  whllft  the  weighty  ci  ncerns 
of  their  particular  tamilies  raife  them  above  that  /r/tc- 
lous  infipidity,  which,  with  'whatever  juftice,  is  the 
proverbial  ftlgma  of  a  nngle  ftate. 

A  married  woman,  likewife,  has  banllhed  that  fliy 
referve,  which  young  ladies  think  themfelves,  and,  in- 
deed, in  fome  degree,  are  obliged  to  pradife,  but 
which,  neceflary  as  it  may  be,  conceals  many  of  their 
lovelieft  graces.  The  fociety,  moreover,  of  th  fenfikle 
man  gives,  to  a  female,  a  richer  fund  of  ideas,  a  fu- 
perior  n.ode  of  thinking  and  ading,  agreeably  tempers 
her  vivacity  with  feiloufnefs,  and  introduces  her  to 
many  improving  acquaintance,  and  entertaining  circles, 
from  which  the  ceremonious  coldnefs  of  a  virgin  ftate, 
muft  have  kept  her,  at  an  unapproachable  diftance. 

Be  not,  however  difappointed,  if  all  your  merit  and 
amiablenefs  do  not  fecure  to  you  fuch  a  connexion,  as 
your  principles  and  judgment  can  approve. 

The  lives  of  young  men  are  fo  undomeflicafed,  and, 
indeed,  fo  criminal,  that  defcrving  women,  in  the  pre- 
fent  age,  are  far  from  receiving  thofe  attentions  and 
civilities,  to  which,  on  every  principle  of  juftice  and 
poUtcnefs,  they  are  certainly  entitled. 

In  proportion  as  the  morals  of  men  are  depraved, 
marriage  will,  always,  be  unfalTiionable  and  rare  ;  and 
there  are  thoufands  amongft  us,  who  have  neither 
knowledge,  fenfe  or  virtue  enough  to  wifh  for  all  that 
delicacy  of  friendftiip,  fprlghtllncfs  of  convcrffiticn  or 
cafe  of  manners,  which  only  an  accomplifiied  v^'oman 
can  beftow,    or  for  thofe  innocent  domeftic  enjoyments. 


76  LETTERS     TO     A 

which  comro'.i.iicile  the  hlyheit  Jjvour  to,  and  are  the 
grand  and  uUimiie  cud  of,  an  iiitorcourfe  betwixt  the 
fexes. 

PIe3s  (jf  ifmo;/i/j  to  fupport  a  iamily,  of  the  expert- 
Jtvenefs  of  \vi\e6,  and  thc-r  propenfity  to  fpleiidour  and 
dilfipation,  arc  ufcd,  1  know,  by  fonie  to  foften  their 
mifc()ntlu(5l,  and  throw  ts.  fl'wify  veil  over  their  crimes. 

Tliis  is  ijot  a  propter  place  for  reafoning  with  libertines 
or  lakes.  Still,  from  their  arguments,  however  tri- 
fling or  fallacious,  you  may  deduce  this  ufeful  leflbn  ; 
that  an  extravagint  turn  for  finery  and  ihow  is  a  great 
difadvantage  to  every  woman  ;  that  it  is  adverfc  to  ail 
her  happieji  profpeds,  and  prevents  not  a  ftw  from 
ever  addrefling  her,  who,  in  reality,  might  have  been 
the  moll  faithful  and  obliging  companions  through  life. 
Though  immoral  perfons  make  this  apology*  from  very 
unjuftifiable  motives,  yet  many  others,  in  moderate 
circumrtances,  might  advance  it  with  truth;  who, 
though  they  nciiher  want  integrity,  knowledge,  nor  a 
fcnfibillty  to  the  charms  and  merit  of  a  woman,  would, 
yet,  never  think  of  dt'graditg  her  to  a  condition, 
which  they  conceive  to  be  beneath  her  wiihes  and  her 
habits. 

1  have  long  confidered  the  immoderate  e:cpenfivenefs 
of  young  ladies,  as,  by  no  means,  favourable  to  their 
profpedls  or  happincfs,  in  any  view.  No  parent  can 
take  a  more  certain  method  to  make  a  daughter's  life  a 
fcene  of  continual  irritation  and  misfortune,  than  by 
thus  ridiculoufly  traiaing  her  lo  high  expcclatioas.  It 
has  been  the  gradual  death  (jT  many  ;  it  has  made  the 
exiftence  of  others  a  burden,  heavy  to  be  i)ornc.  Nor 
can  there  even  in  point  of  real  tafte,  be  a  greater 
miftake  in  education.  True  dignity  confideth  not  in 
tinfcl  or  (how.  The  neareft  approach  we  can  make  to 
fuperior  fpirits,  ib  to  have  asyt-iA/  '■c.^anti^  as  pofiible, 
whilll  we  inhabit  this  tenement  of  clay. 


<S><^<^-<>-"<>" 


LETTER        XXXV. 


I 


N  your   manner  with  the  fex  at  large,   I  could  wifh 
you    to   avoid  the  modern  forwardnefs,  as  well  as  that 


YOUNGLADY.  77 

Jhy  refcrve,  wliich  throws  a  damp  on  all  the  innocent 
gaieties  of  h'fe.  The  firfl  beara  upon  its  face,  a  mafcU" 
line  indelicacy  ;  the  other  is  the  efFc£l  of  downright 
prudery,   ill  breeding,  or  afre<?iation. 

Sojfie  women  aflfecl  a  coUnefj'm  their  deportment,  and 
aft,  as  if  they  fuppofcd  that  every  rnan,  who  approaches 
them,  had  a  defign  on  their  perfon.  Alas  !  how  mife- 
rably  are  they  deceived  !  How  ridiculous  is  the  vanity 
which  gives  birch  to  fuch  a  coiiduft  !  Men  are  fo  much 
engaged  in  btiiincfs,  pleafure,  and  the  amuftmcnts  of 
the  world,  that  the  conquefl  of  di  female  heart  is  often 
ihowgXxt  beneath  ihtw  ambition:.  At  any  rate  it  is  //;7/(» 
enough  to  be  upon  your  guard,  when  you  really  perceive 
them  bent  on  niakingy'f'r/ow/  advances. 

Many  of  them  will  approach  you  vi'xth  fiaffery.  This, 
they  have  been  led  to  think,  the  only,  current  coin, 
with  the  generality  of  females.  If  it  be  not  vtvy  gro/Sf 
bear  it  with  good  humour.  Though  you  may  defpifei 
do  not  wantonly  return,  it  with  contempt.  This  is 
the  method  to  make  them  enemies,  and  put  them  on 
avoiding  your  fociety  for  ever.  You  may  eafily  be 
civil,  and  yet  convince  them  by  your  looks  and  man- 
ner, that  you  perfe£lly  undcrftand  how  to  appreciate 
indifcriminate  complaifance. 

Though,  by  no  mfi3.us,  ftrioujly  bent  upon  7natritHony ^ 
yet  not  a  few  of  them,  will  pay  you  flattering  atten- 
tions. Thefe,  if  you  be  not  cautious,  may,  very  in- 
fenfibly,  foften  your  heart,  and  enfnare  your  affedb'oup, 
particularly  if  they  come  from  men,  whofe^^<fwr^/clia- 
rafter  or  manners  you  efleem.  One  caution,  therefore, 
permit  me  to  give  you,  with  an  aJJ'urance  that  it  mull 
be  religioiijly  obferved,  as  ypu  value  either  your  dignity 
or  repofe — never  to  believe  any  man  in  earneji^  till  he 
makes  the  mod  pointed  declarations  in  your  favour. 

Faftoion  has  made  it  fo  much  a  matter  oi  form  to  pay 
attentions  to  a  woman,  and,  particularly,  if  fliC  is 
fm^rt,  witty,  beautiful  ;  \{  fhe  is  celebrated  for  liigh 
connexions,  or  accomplifhments,  or  makes  a  good  figure 
fn  public,  that  numbers  of  men  will  be  mechanicaUy  led 
to  flutter  about  you,  who,  in  fafi^  mean  only  to  aniiife 
the  moment,  or  do  honour  to  their  own  good  breeding 
and  politenefs. 


?S  LETTERS    TO    A 

Believe  me,  my  dear  girl,  this  gay  and  lively  feafoa 
wilIy2)o«  be  at  an  en.i.  Girls,  that  dwell  on  every 
body's  tongue,  and  fport  away,  in  all  their  gaudy  co- 
lours, during  /«;;;;;.rr  months,  like  biitieiillcs,  arc 
never  heard  of  in  the  iu/a'/^t,  but  fink  into  a  torpid  (late. 
They  do  not,  however,  refemblc  fome  infers  in  the 
very  happy,  and  enviable,  privilege  of  rlfing  with  re- 
ns'wed  charms.  Once  forgotten,  they  feldom  revive, 
but  arc  difpLccd  by  others  rifing  favourites  for  ever; 
and  it  has  often  been  obferved,  that  thcfe  women  are 
moll  rarely  thought  of  for  wives,  with  whom  we  are 
the  fondefl.  of  (what  is  called,)  flirting,  and  of  faying 
a  thoufand,  civil  things,  without  meaning  or  defigv. 

With  men  of  principle  and  integrity,  you  are  always 
fecurc.  They  will  religioufly  beware  of  engaging  your 
affcdions,  without  honourable  views.  But  thefe  alas  ! 
where  nvomen  are  concerned,  are  not  fo  numerous,  as 
might  be  expeded.  More  breaches  of  fidelity  are  ob- 
fervable  in  this  intercourfe,  than  in  any  other  inftancc 
of  the  moil  trifling  importance. 

To  entertain  a  fecret  partiality  for  a  man,  without 
knouing  it  reciprocal^  is  dreadful  indeed.  If  you  have 
addrefs  and  fortitude  enough  not  to  betray  it,  and  thus 
expofe  yourfclf  to  ridicule  and  cenfure,  (and  yet  what 
prudence  is  al<wajj  equal  to  the  tafli  ?)  it  will  coll  you 
infinite  grief,  ani:iety  and  vexation  j  and  a  vidlory  over 
yourfelf,  if  you  do  gain  it,  may  be  at  the  expence  of 
your  health  and  conllitution.  It  will,  at  the  fame  time, 
totally  unlit  you  for  any  other  connexion  ;  for  who 
would  take  the  bodyt  when  another  perfon  is  in  pofTefllon 
of  the  foul  ? 

U  any  man,  therefore,  can  deliberately  be  fo  cruel, 
as  to  vifit  you  frequently,  and  (liow  you  every  pariicu' 
larity  that  is  only  jliort  of  this  ^^;-^?a7  explanation,  never 
fee  him  in  private  ;  and,  if  that  be  infufficient,  and 
you  y?/// feel  tender  fentiments  towards  him,  determine 
to  flmn  his  company  for  ever.  It  is  cafier,  remember,  to 
cxtinguilh  a  fire,  that  has  h\x\  juft  broken  out,  than  one 
which  has  beeri  gathering  ftrength  and  violeficcy  from  a 
long  concealment.  Many  have  negleAed  this  neccflary 
precaution,  and  died  filent  martyrs  to  their  fondncfs 
and  imprudence.     The  eye  of  beauty  has  languijioid  \t\ 


Y  O  U  N  G    L  A  b  Y.  79 

folitude,  or  been  dimmed  with  a  flood  of  irremediable 
tears.  The  heart  has  throbbed  with  uficotjquerable  tu- 
mults, which,  gradually  have  diflblved  an  ^/r^(2/;/ frame, 
that  defcrvtd  a  much  better  fate.  Undifcovered  by  the 
phyfician,  they  have  baiiled  all  the  refources  of  his 
fkill  ;  they  have  rendered  Inefledual  all  the  tendernefs 
of  friends,  and  death  alone  has  admlnidered  that  eafe, 
which  neither  beauty,  friends,  nor  fortune  could  be- 
ftow. 

It  is  poflible,  that  men  may  not  ahjays  a£l  from  un- 
amiable  motives,  when  they  carry  their  attentions  to  a 
confiderable  height,  witl.out  an  explafiaiion.  Their 
tafte  may  have  privately  finglcd  you  out  from  all  the 
refl  of  the  world,  whilft  Providence  has  not  propitloufly 
ra!r..d  ihem  to  circumftanccs,  which  they  conceive  to 
l:e  worth  your  iicccptanct.  They  may  have  a  delicacy, 
ix  dignity,  ar-d  indtrpendencc  of  mind,  which  would  not 
eafily  brook  a  repulfe^  or  an  inferior  fituation  ;  and  ihey 
ir.ay  be,  very  honourably,  probing  by  thefe,  little  me- 
thods,  the  ftate  of  your  inclinations. 

Of  thefe  circumftanccs  you  mufl  endeavour  to  judge 
for  youifelf,  or  get  fome  dlicerning,  impartial  ^wA  more 
experienced  friend  to  be  your  advller.  If  you  fufpcdl  a 
ptrfon's  conduct  to  arlfe  from  fuch  motives,  you  cannot 
treat  him  with  too  much  attention.  He  has  paid  you, 
in  the  moll  d^-llcate  and  flattering  manner,  the  highell 
compliment  in  the  worhl ;  and  you  may  depend  on  his 
afl\£lion  being  xwoxt fwcere,  in  proportion  as  it  is  lefs 
afi'uming,   confident,   or  cbtrnfive. 

If  you  have  ^v\y  regard  for  fuch  a  chara6ler,  his  pe- 
netration will  have  difcovcred  it.  Ufe  no  affe^ation  to 
him.  He  will  fee  through  all  its  flimfy  d.TguIfes.  At- 
tempt no  prudery  ;  he  will  behold  your  boi'om  panting 
through  the  thin,  Jl'ght  veil,  and  the  hypocrify  will 
dlfgult.  Talk  not  ol  fortune  or  circiwifances ;  they 
have  been  the  objeCls  of  />// confide  ration,  I  know  no 
method,  bur,  with  an  honefl  candour,  to  throw  your- 
felf,  a  fair,  enchanting  ohjcd,  on  his  generous /riJ/^^/o;/. 
If  by  any  corjcealmerJ,  you  fhould  hurt  that  fe'f  con- 
fcious  dignity  and  afftdion,  vThlch  will,  always,  attend 
fuch  a  mind,  as  this,  he  will  never  again  fue   to    your 


8o  LETTERSTOA 

clemencyy  but  leave  you  to  ruminate  on  the  artifices,  you 
have  ufed,  in  an  hopelefs  repentance. 

If  you  fuppofe  on  the  other  hand,  that  any  perfon 
dallies  with  your  feeh'ngs  from  •wautoiineji^  or  mere 
amufement,  you  cannot  (how  him  too  marked  a  con- 
tempt. Though  delicacy  will  not  permit  you  to  glance 
at  X.\iz  particular  impropriety  of  his  condudl,  yet  there 
arc  a  thoufand  methods  of  making  him  feel  his  own  in- 
Jignificance^  and  of  changing  the  little  plumage  of  his 
vanity,   into  a  monument  of  his  fhame. 

There  Is  fomething  fo  unmanly  In  fportlng  with,  the 
tender  feelings  of  a  ivcjnan  ;  there  is  fomething  fo  truly 
defp^'cable  in  the  chara6ler  of  a  perfon,  who  wifhes  a 
confequence,  built  upon  the  tears  and  diftrefles  of  thofe, 
whom  all  great  and  generous  minds  are  difpofed  to  pro- 
ted^,  tiiat  if  a  female  coquette  is  odious  \o your  fex,  a 
male  one  fiiould  be  doubly  abhorred  by  his  oivn. 

If  a  perfon  once  comes  to  ?i  ferious  declaration  In 
your  favour,  afFeft  no  prudiJJj  airs  of  referve.  If  you 
really,  feel  an  affiCtion  for  him,  and  can  Indulge  It  with 
prudence^  do  not  Ici  uple  to  acknowledge  it,  or  to  treat 
him  witti  the  greatell  cpennsfs  and  candour.  This  will 
engage,  for  ever,  the  efteem  of  every  liberal  and  honeji 
man.  If,  from  any  circumftances,  unforefeen  at  the 
time,  you  fliould  be  under  the  neceffity  of  difmijfirig 
him,  as  a  lover^  you  will  never  fail  to  retnin  him,  as  a 
friend ;  and  though,  with  a  bafe,  defignlng  perfon, 
fuch  a  condudt  may  expofc  you  to  fome  little  Inconve- 
nience, yet  '^x'hofe  will  be  the  difgrace?  L.ave  him  to 
the  contempt  and  indignation  of  the  fenfible,  and  let 
him  make  the  mod  of  thegodlike  reflexion,  that  he  has 
endeavoured  to  triumph  over  artlcjs  innocence^  and  un- 
fufpetfting  fenfibility. 

There  is,  generally,  too  much  affeHation  of  coynefs 
in  this  intercourfe  betwixt  the  ftKer..  I  have  no  idea  of 
a  woman's  bluJJ/ing  to  avonv -au  attachment.  If  fhe  has 
it  indeed,  it  will  appear  to  a  penetrating  mind,  even 
from  her  very  efforts  \o  conceal  \i^  The  involuntary 
cinharrajfmevty  the  timid  look,  the  modcft  blufli,  and 
the  downcad  eye  are  indifputable  fymptoms  of  a  ftroog 
pafrtiality,  which  cannot  either  be  concealed  or  mifta- 
ken. 


YOUNG    LADY.  8i 

X'our  fex,  I  know,  have  ideas  of  fufpenfe,  and  fancy, 
that  it  heightens  the  merit  of  the  prize.  But  I  dare 
not  recommend  fuch  a  dangeroui  expedient.  If  the 
cunning  be  difcovered,  the  puniOiment  may  be  a  lafting 
coldnels  and  ncgled.  I  do  not  know  any  thing,  fo 
really  graceful  as  unaffeded fimpllcity , 

Never  dil'clofe  the  offers  or  preferences  you  receive, 
except  to  thofe  friend f,  who  are  Immediately  intereflcd 
in  your  dc^cifjon.  They  ^ve  fccrcts  of  honour^  which  you 
ihould  carry  inviolate  to  your  grave.  It  is  ungenerous 
to  make  a  man,  the  fubjeil  of  obfervation,  perliaps,  of 
ridicuUy  becaufe  he  has  tendered  you  his  warmed  affec- 
tions; and  the  envy  of  ^owx  oiun  lex  will  not  be  difpo- 
fed  to  fpare  you,  for  fuch  a  palpable  difplay  of  vanity 
and  pride.  If  you  intend  to  marryy  it  h  the  high  ell 
impolicy  ;  and  if  you  mean  to  difmifs  him,  it  is  crutl  to 
aggravate  difmifTion  with  contempt. 

..<>.,..-<).... .«^<s><s» <>"'"\>" 

LETTER        XXXVI. 


F 


ROM  the  unfavourable  flcetch,  I  have  given  of 
the  morals  and  fentiments  of  young  men,  it  is  nut  pro- 
bable, that  a  woman  of  the  greateft  merit,  will  have 
any  prodigious  number  of  admirers  to  diftra^i  her  choice. 
Generally,  in  \\\q  prefent  ftate  of  tilings,  if  a  lady  it>/7/ 
be  married,  fhe  has  a  number  of  acommodations  to  make, 
many  wiflies  to  facriiice,  and  many  inllancesof  private 
tafle  to  be  refigned.  She  mufl:  be  content  with  a  for- 
tune merely  without  cxpefting  many  good  or  great  qua- 
lities, annexed  ;  or  if  (lie  feek  the  latter,  fhe  mufl 
often  forego  all  hopes  of  the  former. 

If,  however,  you  fhould  have  a  number  of  fuitors, 
(and,  without  any  compliment,  it  is  not  Impoffible,) 
there  are  a  few,  general  principles  of  mufl  ejfeiitial 
confequence  to  regulate  your  choice. 

Fortune,  fplendour,  great nefs  are  alone  the  cry  of 
mercenary  friends.  I  am  not  ijjholly  of  their  opinion, 
I  have  feen  many  nvretched  in  marriage,  with  all  the 
trappings  of  greatnefs.     I   have   known  a  f\ill  greater 


?j  LETTERSTOA 

number  hnppy,  who  have  had  cnly  "  a  dinner  of  herbs, 
and  love  therewith." 

Do  not  fuffer  your  ima;;inatIon  to  be  dazzled  with 
mere  fplendour.  Never  fancy,  that  hrilliance  is  con- 
ncdled  with  the  viind,  or  that  the  happinefs  of  women, 
any  more  than  that  of  men,  **  confifteth  in  the  abun- 
**  dance  of  the  things,  that  (he  pofTefleth." 

An  immoderate  fondnefs  for  (how  is  a  great  misfortune. 
It  has  led  many  a  poor  girl  to  facrificc  fierfelf  to  fomc 
illiterate  boor,  who  had  nothing  but  his  affluence  to 
rccomnicrd  liim.  If  fuch  fhould  ever  he  your  misfor- 
tune, I  need  not  mention,  what  would  be  your  fcel- 
ing3.  If  you  was  prudent  enough  to  avoid  all  oiker 
evil  confeqoenceR,  (and  many  fuch,  experience  records, 
but  delicacy  forbeara  to  mention,)  yon  might  live  to 
envy  the  ruddy,  unambitious  milk- maid,  whofe  toils 
are  fweelened  by  co?jjugal attachment,  and  whofe  ^/co;/?- 
tng  children  cheer  t.]ic  feeming  infelicities  of  life. 

Hou  wretched  muit  be  a  woman,  united  to  a  man 
whom  fue  does  rot  prefer  to  every  other  in  the  world  ! 
What  fecret  preferences  mud  fteal  into  her  heart  !  What 
unquiet  thoughts  take  poffeflion  of  her  fancy  !  And 
what  can  men  of  principle  call  fuch  an  ad,  but  legal 
projlitution  P 

If  I  was  a  defpotic  tyrant,  I  would  inflift  this  pu- 
nifliment  on  the  woman,  I  abhorred.  She  fhould  en- 
tertain a  private  partiality  for  one  perfon,  and  be  mar- 
ried to  another* 

Nev<  r  fuffer  yourfelf  to  think  of  a  perfon,  who  has 
r\o\.  religious  principle.  A  go(jd  man  alone  is  capable 
of  true  attachment,   fidelity  and  affeftion. 

Others  may  fetl  ^  fugitive  paflTion  ;  but  on  this,  alas  ! 
you  can  place  no  dependence.  It  may  be  abated  by 
caprice,  fupplanted  by  fome,  new  favouiiie,  palled  by 
pojfcjfion^  and,  at  any  rate,  will  lad  no  longer,  than 
your /)^r/ct/;^/ charms,  though  thofe  charms  may  have 
faded  by  almojl  laying  down  your  life  for  their  fake,  by 
bringing  them  a  beautiful  offspring  into  the  world. 

During  the  flaitering  feafon  of  courtfhip,  men  will 
always  endeavour  to  appear  in  their  beji  colours,  and 
put  on  all  the  appearance  ol  good  hu/nour.  But  fuppo- 
pofing   this    g'.'od  humour,  real,  Vix^hMt^fiu^uating^ 


YOUNGLADY.  83 

imfteady  principle,  dependlog  on  the  motion  of  the 
blood  and  fpirits.  Nothing,  hw\.  religion ^  is  permanent 
and  unchangeahle^  always  confident,  and  always  the 
fame. 

A  man  of  this  cafi:  will  never  fail  to  treat  you  with 
tc7idcr?iefs  and  aittntion.  If  little  prov(;catioiis  hajjpen, 
he  will  foften  them  v/ith  gentlenefs  ;  if  offences  come, 
he  will  be  Ihielded  with  patience  ;  if  his  own  temper 
be  unhappy,  he  will  correal  it  by  the  afTillance  of  divine 
grace  and  of  reflexion  ;  if  misfortunes  afl'ail  you,  he 
will  bear  them  with  refignation  ;  in  eveiy  exigence,  he 
will  be  a  friend  ;  in  all  your  troubles,  a  ftay  ;  in  your 
fickncfs,  a  phyfician  ;  and,  when  the  laft,  convulfivc 
moment  comes,  he  will  leave  you  with  his  tears,  and 
with  his  bleflings.  All  his  impetuous  pajjions  he  will 
fupprefs,  from  a  fenfe  of  duty ;  and  if  ever  by  an  un- 
guarded  fally,  he  fliould  unfortunately  have  hurt  your 
feelings,  or  violated  your  peace,  he  will  fuffer  more 
pain  from  the  private  recollection,  than  he  can  poflibly 
have  inflidled  upon  you.  Ten  thoufand  cares,  anxieties 
and  vejiations  will  mix  with  the  mv:irried  ftate.  R.eligion 
Is  the  only  principle,  that  can  Infufe  an  healing  balm, 
Infpire  both  p^.rties  with  fcrcnity  and  hope,  difpofe 
them  to  ;«wfM^/conceffions  and  forbearance,  and  prompt 
them  to  fliare  each  others  burdens  with  alacrity  and 
cafe. 

Gay  and  volatile  as  your  fpirits  may  be  before  this 
union,  when,  as  yet,  no  great  trials  or  misfortunes 
have  prefled  on  them,  yet  when  you  ferloufly  think  of 
having  a  family,  and  calling  yourfelf  m.other  of  a  nu- 
merous offspring,  v/hat  polTible  corafort  can  you  promifc 
to  yourfelf  without  a  man  of  yc/zV  probity  and  virtue  ; 
one,  who  will  be  regular  in  the  difcharge  of  all  the  re- 
ligious, foclal  and  domeftic  duties  ;  who  will  faithfully 
train  up  your  co;;z7/?;?«  children  in  the  fear  of  God,  and 
not  negledl  their  many  intereds  and  wants,  and  wlfheB 
for  the  turbid  and  licentious  pleafure  of  the  bottle, 
gaming,  intrigue,  the  chace,  tlie  theatre,  or  for  any 
other  fccnes  of  fafhionable  dillipation  ? 

The  next  thing  you  (hould  look  lor  is  a  perfon  of  a 
domejlic  call.  This  will,  mo(l  frequently,  be  found  in 
men  of  the    moft  virtuous  hearts  and  improved  under- 


84  LETTERSTOA 

{landings.  They  will  always  have  abundance  of  enter- 
tainment in  private,  unknown  to  vulgar  minds.  And 
thefe  will  fcciire  them  from  fceking  their  happinefs  in 
vYiefadlithus  plcafurc  of  the  world. 

Of  what  coiifequence  are  all  the  good  qualities  of 
your  hufband,  if  you  muft  he  conllantly  feparated  from 
him  ?  Your  teud.rnefs  in  t!iis  cafe  will  only  be  the  in- 
ftrument  of  a  poignant  affliflion  ;  your  anxiety  will  be 
perpetually  <>n  che  rack  j  your  jealoufy  may  be  alarmed  ; 
and,  iu  the  beft  point  of  view,  you  will  be  a  widow, 
with  only  a  nominal  hiifbnnd,  and  unprotefted,  with 
all  the  appearance  of  protection. 

Men,  whofe  circumftances  abfcUitely  require  fuch 
ahfencesi  fiiould  never  think  of  this  tender  connexion. 
It  is  this  necejfury  feparation  after  marriage,  and  the 
artificial  one,  vf\\'\Q\\  fciJJoion  has  created,  that  are  the 
caufe  of  half  the  difquiets,  which  infeft  this  facrcd  ilate. 
True  afFedion  is  only  nurfedby  the  parcies  livirrv  nuich 
together,  in  the  ftillnefs  of  retirement.  It  is  in  the 
JJjade^  chiefly,  that  the  pureft  affections  glow,  it  is 
from  dwelling  on  the  graces  of  a  common  offsjirinir, 
and  repeating,  in  the  cafe  of  familiar  converfation,  liitle 
domeflic  anecdotes,  playfulnefs  and  events,  that  matri- 
monial friendfliip  rifcs  to  its  proper  maturity  and  vigour. 
By  conftantly  growing  together,  even  branches  become 
infepirably  intwined. 

The  la/i  thing,  though  I  do  not  mention  it,  as  abfo- 
lutely  neceffary,  yet  highly  defirable  in  a  perfon,  with 
whom  you  muft  fpend  all  your  days,  is  fentiment  and 
tajle.  This  will  variegate  every  hour  with  a  fuccellion 
of  pleafure,  every  fcene  with  animated  remarks,  every 
incident  with  frefh  converfation,  and  will  make  a  little 
paradife  of  your  deepeft  folitude,  in  which  you  will 
never  want  the  poor  refources  oi  foreign  entertainment. 

Fortune  fiirely  fliould  be  confidered.  It  were  abfurd 
to  think  of  love,  where  there  is  not  fomc  profpedl  of  a 
decent  provifion  for  your  probable  defcendants.  That 
decency  depends  on  birth,  habit  and  education.  But 
if  you  can  compafs  the  other  requifites,  be  as  moderate 
as  poflible,  in  your  demands  of  fortune.  Virtue  and 
affedlion  have  an  amazing  power  of  infpiring  content- 
ment.    A  morfel  thus  fweetened,  will   be   pleafant  to 


YOUNGLADY.  85 

the  tafte.  In  a  cottage  fo  enlivened,  joy  will  fpriiig. 
Children,  h  educated,  will  be  rich  in  goodnefs.  The 
Almighty  will  look  down  from  heaven  with  approbation, 
and  crown  the  happy  pair  with  the  choiceft  of  his  blef* 
fings  ! 

^  ..<,.....<>...<S>^^"^-<>--<>" 

LETTER        XXXVII. 

X^  EVE  R  think  of  marrying  a  lueak  man,  in  hopes 
of  governing  him.  Silly  people  are  often  more  peevifli 
and  refraftory,  than  yooi  would  fuppofe  ;  hut  if  you 
could  even  gain  your  point,  and  by  great  addrefs  and 
management  rife  to  the  helm,  I  fliould  not,  by  any 
means,  congratulate  your  fuccefs. 

Women,  that  affume  the  reins,  feldom  manage  them 
with  dignity.  Their  authority  breaks  forth  in  number- 
lefs,  petty  inftances  of  tyranny  and  caprice,  which 
only  render  them  mlferable  in  themfelves,  as  well  as 
unamiable  to  every  beholder.  The  quality,  which 
fiiows  a  married  lady  to  advantage,  is  a  vaoA^^  fiihvuifwn 
of  her  underftanding  to  the  man,  whom  fhe  has  not  been 
afhamed  to  honour  with  her  choice. 

I  have  frequently  mentioned  Milton,  as  peculiarly 
happy  in  his  ideas  of,  what  conftitutes,  conjugal  ^^xo^ 
priety,  H'u  Eve  reveres  her  hufband.  She  liftens  to 
his  convcrfation,  in  order  to  be  inftrufled.  In  hhuf 
(he  feels  herfelf  annihilated  and  abforbed.  She  always 
(hows  that  deference  and  confcioufnefs  of  inferiority^ 
which,  for  the  fake  of  crder^  the  all  wife  Author  of 
nature,  manifcjfll)\  intended.  The  confequence  is,  that 
her  charader  appears  lovely  to  all,  and  that  her  afTo- 
clate,  (as  all  fenfible  men  nuilli)  treats  her  with  double 
tendernefs,  and  gives  her  every  mark  of  a  delicate  pro- 
tedlion  : 

He  in  delight 
Both  of  her  beauty,  znd.  fub?nijf/ive  charms, 
Smii'd  with  fuperior  love. 

To  whom  thus  Eve,   with  perfe£l  beauty  adorn'd, 
Vol.  II.  K 


«6  LETTERSTOA 

My  author  and  difpcfer,  what  thou  bidd'ft, 
Unargu'd  I  obey  ;   fo  God  ordains  ; 
God  is  iky  law  j   thouy   mine  ;   to  know  tio  mon 
Is  nuoma/i^s  liappieil  knowledge  and  her  praifc. 

When  men  have  lived  fingle  for  fifty  or  fixty  years, 
through  a  multiplicity  of  bufinefs,  ambitious  fchemes, 
or  perhaps  from  more  rr;w//Wcaufes,  it  is  no  uncommoQ 
thing  to  f-ee  them,  all  at  once,  determined  oo  wedlock, 
and  paying  their  court  to  fome  fine,  blocwifig  girl  of 
eighteen^  Indeed,  in  the  prefcnt  ftate  of  things,  if  a 
woman  be  not  married  carly.^  her  chance  is  finall  ;  fo 
violent  is  the  rage  for  youth  and  beauty,  even  In  decrepit 
heaus  I 

There  is  fomething  in  thispraftlce,  that  very  grofsly 
Infults  both  your  delicacy  and  underflanding.  It  looks 
as  if  thefe  jovereign  lords  of  the  creation,  at  the  mo- 
ment, when  they  condtfcoided  to  pity  your  diftrefsy  and 
found  no  comfort  in  habits  of  another  kind,  could 
order  the  moll  elegant  and  fafhionable  amongll  you,  to 
come  at  a  call  I 

It  Is  true  indeed,  that  they  J(?  make  you  a  confiJera- 
tlon.  Your  jointure  is,  generally,  in  proportion  to 
die  age  of  the  party.  The  hundreds  are  incrcafed,  at 
the  head  is  hoary,  as  the  frame  is  enfeebled,  or  as 
wrinkles  have  contradled  the  countenance. 

Never  Indulge  the  thought  of  marrying  in  this  man- 
ner. Wherever  there  is  great  difpariiy  of  years,  there 
cannot  be  any  durable  union  of  hearts.  Gloom  and 
gaiety  do  not  eafily  afiimilate.  Nature  hab  placed  at  ^ 
great  dillance  from  each  other,  the  torrid  and  the  frigid 
zones. 

People's  views  of  life,  their  fentlments,  projects,  com- 
panies, pleafuresand  amufements,  differ  fo  exceedingly, 
at  thefe  different  ages,  that  it  is  Impuflible  their  affec- 
tions fliould  be  united.  A  thoufand  conflids  of  tafte 
and  opinion,  and  as  many  caufes  of  jealoufy  and  diflike 
will  mingle  with  fo  injudicious  a  connexion. 

A  woman.  In  fuch  delicate  circumrtances,  where  the 
heart  is  not  engroHed  by  a  real  attachment,  mr.y^  aijd 
probably  oi///,  fee  many  peifons  more  agieeable,  than 
%\m,  to  whom  fhe  Is  bound  by  an   indiffoluble  tl^     If 


YOUNGLADY.  87 

fhe  has  prudence  and  principle  enough  to  keep  np  ap- 
pearances, and  thus  preferve  her  innocence  in  the  eyes 
of  the  world,  it  can  be  no /?//>r^AW  felicity  to  be  the  vife 
of  one  man,  vvhilft  her  heart  is  fecretly  pantingj  for 
another.  It  is  indeed  a  trial,  which  no  Cplendour  caa 
rccompence  and  no  fortune  eafe.  If  fhe  fhould  ever 
be  fo  unguarded  as  to  betray  fuch  a  preference,  in  any 
part  of  her  cond»i(^,  her  peace  and  happinefs  are  loft 
for  ever  !  But  admitting  her  to  behave  with  the  greateft 
propriety,  and  even  to  be  attached  to  the  Sulfaru  who 
owns  her,  ftill  x\\z  jealoufy  of  old  nnen  is  a  moll  amaz- 
ingly irritable  piiffion.  It  is  that  watchful  dragon, 
which  guards  the  Hefperian  fruit ;  and  with  a  keen- 
eyed  glance,  will  be  apt  to  difcover  fome  hidden  mean- 
ing in  a  look,  impropriety  in  a  geflure,  or  a  violation 
of  the  marriage  covenant  in  the  moft  common  civility. 
At  any  rate,  it  is  no  very  flattering  allotment  to  a  wo- 
man, to  be  the  nurfe  of  a  peevifh,  infirm  or  emaciated, 
old  man,  at  an  age,  when  flie  might  claim  the  mod  de-/ 
licate  paffion,  and  reciprocal  endearments.  What  wo- 
man of  fpirit  would  hear  to  be  fufpe6led  ?  What 
chriftian  fhould  vov^r,  at  the  altar  of  her  God,  an  af- 
ftdion  to  a  w/7«,  when  her  attachment  was  folely  to 
his  fortune  ?  And  who  that  has  read  one  page  of  hu- 
man life,  muft  not  tremble  at  the  confequences,  that 
have  generally  attended  fuch  imprudent  connexions  ? 

"  A  reformed  rake  makes  the  beft  hiifband."  Does 
he  ?  It  would  be  very  extraordinary,  ii  he  fliould.  Be- 
fides,  are  you  very  certain,  that  you  \\2iSc  ponver  to  re- 
form him  ?  It  is  a  matter,  that  requires  fome  delibera- 
tion. This  reformation,  if  it  //  to  be  accomplifhed, 
muft  take  place  before  marriage.  Then  if  ever^  is  the 
period  of  your  power.  But  how  will  you  be  affured 
that  he  is  reformed  ?  If  he  appears  fo,  is  he  not  infidi- 
ouHy  cojiceaimg  his  vices,  to  gain  your  affections  ?  And 
when  he  knows  they  are  fecured,  may  he  not,  gradually, 
throw  off  the  made,  and  be  diffipated,  as  before  ?  Pro- 
digality of  this  kind  is  feldc^m  eradicated.  It  refembles 
fome  ^///^;/(?37a  diforders,  which  appear  toht  healed,  and 
yet  are,  continually,  making  themfelvcs  vifible  by  frefli 
erupti-ins. 

A  man,  who  has  carried  on  a  criminal  Intercourfc  with 
K2 


8S  L  E  T  T  E  R  S    T  O     A 

immoral  women,  Is  not  to  be  traded.  His  opinion  of 
/r?// females  Is  an  Infult  to  their  delicacy.  His  aitachment 
is  toy^.v  alone,  under  particular  modifications.  On  lim 
virtue,  knowledge,  accomplilhments  and  graces  are  mi- 
ferably  thrown  away.  To  gratify  an  Inextinguifhable 
third  for  variety^  fuch  a  wretch  is  often  feen  to  forfake 
the  mod  defcrving  wife,  to  feekhis  ufual,  fugitive  ^\^?i- 
Aire,   with  an  abandoned,   mercenary  harlot. 

What  would  you  think  of  this  ?  Yet  no  graces,  no 
affedion,  no  delicacy,  on  your  part,  may  be  able  to 
prevent  it.  It  fetins  the  curfe  of  heaven,  entailed  on 
his  vices,  and,  generally,  purfucs  him  even  to  ihe 
grave. 

The  fuppofed  prediledlion  of  your  fex  for  r^/v/,  muft 
probably, arife  from  theirodentatiousappearance, gaiety, 
fpirits  and  ad"umed  politenefs.  But  how  dearly  is  fuch 
linfel  purchafed  by  an  union  with  them  ?  How  often 
has  a  lorigy  harraded  life  of  poverty  and  remorfe  been 
the  dreadful  facrificc  to  this  indlfcretion  of  7i??2o?Nent. 


c5^;^-<  >■••••■<>•. 


LETTER        XXXVIII. 

X  ▼  1  E  N  In  profedions  may  be  expected  to  pofTefs  the 
mod  lihcral  fentlments,  as  having  enjoyed  a  fuperlor 
education  ;  and  their  manners  and  foclety  will,  of 
courfe,  be  rnod  agreeable  and  interedlng  to  ladles. 
Military  people  are,  prcverbialhy  favourites. 

I  will  not  fo  much  degrade  the  dignity  of  your  fex, 
as  tofnppofe,  that  it  is  the  mere  colour  of  their  habits, 
vvhich  dazzles  your  eyes,  and  works  fuch  adonidiing 
viiracles  In  their  favour.  There  are  reafons,  which 
may  account,  more  rafional/yi  for  your  partiality,  whild 
they  do  mote  credit  to  your  undci danding. 

Undidra6led  with  cares  and  bufintfs,  they  are  happy 
in  that  eafy  difevgagednefs  of  mind,  which  can  exhaud 
all  Its  efforts  upon  the  fingle  article  of  pkafing.  With 
much  lime  upon  their  hands,  they  have  frequent  op- 
portunities of  being  In  your  company,  and  of  feeling, 
or  at  lead,  ojjeaing    admiration.      Lively  and  volatile 


Y  O  U  N  G     L  A  D  Y.  ^9 

from  an  healthy  life  of  adivlty  and  exerciTe,  they  eafily 
aflimilate  with  the  manners  of  a  fex,  whofe  dilllngulfii- 
ing  grace  is  a  cheerful  vivacity.  Having  travelled 
through  various  places  and  kingdoms,  they  nccefTarily 
acquire  that  eafe  and  urbanity  of  manners,  which  re- 
fult  from  a  general  intercourfe  with  mankind.  Expc£l- 
ed,  profeffionally^  to  be  men  of  courage,  you  m^y /up- 
pofe  them  the  bed  protcrtors  of  your  perfon  and  your 
weaknefs.  Their  very  choice  of  the  army  marks  then-\ 
for  genteel  noiions  and  fpirit  ;  and  any  of  thefe  reafons 
is,  perhaps,  no  dilaJvantage  with  a  female  heart.  I 
fhould  be  forry  to  fuppofe,  that  thtir  general  love  of 
plcafure,  gaiety  and  intrigue  is  amongft  their  recom« 
mendations  to  the  favour  of  thofe,  \v\\q  fljoidd^  uni- 
formly, difcourage  by  their  blujha  and  their yro'a-;;/, 
every  fpecies  of  levity  and  vice. 

In  fad,  and  to  be  impartial,  the  agreeablcncfs  of 
officers,  is  like  that  of  other  men.  There  is  the  human 
mixture  of  the  good  and  the  bad.  I  have  always  found, 
from  my  own  obfervation,  that  the  older  and  expeiicn- 
ccd  are  feme  of  the  moil  interefling  charaders  in  fo- 
ciety.  The  various  fcenes,  through  which  they  have 
pafled,  give  a  fprightliacfs  and  diverjity  to  their  conver- 
iation,  and  their  politenefs  lends  it  a  charm.  I  have 
met  with  as  many  of  \.\it  younger  fort,  who  have  feemed 
to  think  the  petty  ornament  of  a  cockade,  an  adequate 
fubltitute  for  all  improvements  of  the  mind  ;  a  (helter 
for  litigious  infolence  and  puppyifniy  and  an  cxclufive 
fccurity  for  the  tendered  affedions,  and  attachment  of 
woman. 

But  this  evil  is  not  confined,  merely,  to  the  army* 
It  is  fo  in  the  church.  How  truly  amiable  are  the  ex- 
perienced, the  learned,  and  the  exemplary  of  this  pro» 
feffion,  whofe  knowledge  is  happily  tiffucd  with  devo- 
tion, and  foftened  by  a  general  intercourfe  with  the 
world  !  How  many,  on  the  other  hand,  when  they  are 
juft  initiated  into  the  facred  office,  ridiculoufly  pique 
themfelves  on  a  cajfock  and  difcarf;  and,  under  that 
folemn  garb,  go  as  far  as  poffible,  in  the  mazes  of 
beauifm,  vanity,  and  alfedation  ! 

There  arc,  doubllcfs,  very  amiable   people    in    the 
^  3 


90  L  E  T  T  E  R  S     T  O     A 

army  ;  but  ihe'ir  genera/  notions  and  treatment  of  your 
fc'x,  foibid  me  to  wifh  tliat  you  fliould,  ever,  cultivate 
much  acquaintance  with  them,  becaufe  the  circum- 
flanccs,  in  which  th.ey  are  placed,  render  the  thoughts 
of  a  ferious  connexion,  by  no  means  dcfirable.  If  we 
could  fuppofe  x.\\tn  principles  not  to  be  injured  by  their 
?//\/u<f  of  life;  if  they  could  refign,  fiom  the  moment 
cf  marriage,  all  their  notions  of  unlimited  gallantry, 
ii!id  pltafure,  what  is  their  pay,  but  a  fcanty  fubfill- 
tr.ce  for  a  folitary  individual  ?  What  is  their  life, 
I  at  an  unfcttled  pilgrimage  from  one  country  to  ano- 
iLer  ?  How  often  arc  they  called,  ai  a  ??ioment^s  warning, 
to  fight,  perhaps,  to  periJJ?^  for  their  king  and  coun- 
try  ?  or,  to  die  more  fuddenly,  and  more  ignominioufly, 
by  the  hands  of  a  Duelliil,  who  challenges  them  into 
itornity  for  the  flighteft.  provocation,  perhaps  for  the 
liiifplaclng  only  of  a  fyllable  ! 

In  the  midlt  of  fuch  alarming  profpefts,  what  has  a 
woman  to  expedl  from  marriage  with  thtm,  but  conti- 
nual  toils,   unceafing  dangers,  perpetual  apprehenfiorjs  ; 

poverty,  remorfe,   vexation, children  without  pro- 

vifion,  and  forrows,  which  the  lenient  hand  of  time, 
fcarcely  can  afTuage. 

If  you  was  ever  fo  happily  united  to  a  man  of  this 
defcription,  how  dreadful  mud  be  the  abfcnces,  you 
will  have  to  bear,  mixed  as  they  will  be,  with  a  diflblv- 
ing  tendernefs,  and  unavoidable  alarms  ;  or,  on  the 
other  hand,  how  infupportable  your  toils,  **  with  perils 
"  in  the  wildernefs,  perils  by  the  fta,  and  perils  amonglt 
**  falfe  brethren  ;  with  wearinefs,  and  painfulnefs  ;  with 
**  waichingiJ,  often  ;  with  hunger  and  third  ;  with 
**  fadings  often  ;  with  cold  and  nakednefs."  Re- 
member the  fate  of  lady  C — w — s,  and  drop  a  tear. 
That  gaiety  of  heart,  which,  onccy  doted  on  a  man 
for  his  fmartnefs  or  vivacity,  will  find  too  much  exercife 
fur  its  penitence  and  grief  in  i\iz\\  ferious  afflid\ioas* 


YOUNG     LADY.  91 


LETTER        XXXIX. 


I 


L  N  fcveral  rcqulfites  to  an  happy  marriage,  pfofef* 
Jional  men  do  not  appear,  by  any  means,  the  moft  eli- 
gible. 

A  great  writer  has  called  a  phyficlan,  *'  the  mere 
play-thing  of  fortune."  However  ftraitened  in  his 
circumftanccs,  from  having  received  an  expenfivc  edu- 
cation, he  muft  afTume,  particularly  in  the  metropolis, 
the  appearance  oi  property  merely  to  gain  employment. 
This ^dJitious  grandeur  may  involve  him  in  difficulties, 
for  wany  years.  His  fuccefs,  from  the  nature  of  things, 
mull  generally,  be  /lonv,  nor  will  it  ever  depend  fo 
much  on  his  oivn  Intrinfic  merit,  as  on  a  fortunate  co- 
Incidence  of  circumllances,  wholly  out  of  his  power* 
If  he  fucceeds,  it  will,  frequently,  be  /afe  if?  life  ;  flnd, 
if  he  does  not,  he  muft  be  embarra{f;.d  Indeed  !  The 
children  of  fuel?  a  perfon  "  cannot  dig,  and  to  hcg  they 
**  are  afliamed."  Poverty^  (harpened  by  v-finfment 
:^n(\fenjihilityf   Is  afHi£ling  in  the  extieme  ! 

I  do  not  think  the  profeflion  of  the  lanx'f  calculated 
to  render  a  man,  the  mod  agreeable  companion,  in  the 
ftlll,  unruffled  fliades  of  domcftic  life.  It  calls  into 
continual  exerclfe,  the  more  tur^ Id  paflions  ;  it  begets 
an  uppleafant  fpirit  of  cavilling  and  conlradidllon,  and 
has  lefs  tendency  to  nurfe  \\\t  finer  feelings,  than  any 
of  the  other  learned  proftflions. 

By  being  crowded  together,  at  a  dangerous  age.  In 
the  Temple  or  Lincoln's  Inn,  young  men  are  apt  to 
contradl  a  licentioufnefs  of  morals^  a  laxity  of  princi- 
ples, a  fpeclcs  oi  Jcepticifni  to  palliate  their  vices,  ha- 
bits of  prof<inenefs',  not  a  little  diflipatlon,  and,  fo  far 
2^% your  fex  is  concerned,   very  dangerous  notions. 

Before  marriage,   military    men    and   young   lavyy^sri 

are  not,   in  my  idea,  thefafeft  acquaintance.     The  fit  ft 

are  only  bent,  without  lool<ing  any  further,  on  domef- 

//o^/z/z^therafclves,  in  agreeable  families,  by  every  pa- 

•^^  4 


92  LETTERSTOA 

lite  attention  to  ivives  and  daughterst  and  thus  amufin* 
many,  leifure  hours,  which,  in  their  (late  of  continual 
peregrination,  would  be,  otlicrwile,  infupportable  ;  the 
latter,  in  general,  fcruple  not  to  go  great  lengths  in 
gallantry  where  they  have  no  ferious  intention. 

Beware  cf  fujh  fociety  ;  beware  of  your  heart.  Let 
not  the  tifsblujhing  froot  of  a  barriftcr,  let  net  the 
mere  fcarht  habit  of  a  petit  maitre^  who  has  Itudied 
the  windings  lif  the  female  heart,  infinitely  more,  than 
tadics,  or  tlie  art  of  war,  let  not  a  few  civil  fayings 
or  flattering  attentions  beguile  your  imagination,  or 
lay  your  prudence  afleep.  I  do  not  think  the  commerce 
very  fafe.  If  I  had  a  girl  of  my  own,  I  would  not  cx- 
pcfe  her  to  fo  dangerous  a  trial.  Many,  doubtlefs, 
have  come  off  conquerors,  but  jnore  have  fallen  ;  and 
their  wounds  and  tears  have  made,  upon  7ny  memory,  a 
Uftir.g  Impreflion. 

Our  imagination,  however,  annexes  riches,  honours, 
and  even  titles  to  the  profcflion  of  the  law.  But  this 
fancy  often  mijlcads  us.  It  is  true,  that  merit  has  a 
greater  chance  in  this^  than  in  any  other  profeflion  ;  and 
it  is  Certain,  that  a  fort un ate yi^iu  have  attained  to  very 
c:  niiderable  gieatncfs.  We  hear  of  a  MansHcld,  a 
'1  huiluw,  a  Kenyon,  a  Loughborough,  a  Law,  an 
Erfliine,  and  are  dazzled  with  their  names,  their  fuc- 
cefs,  and  honours.  But  not  a  word  is  faid  of  athoufand 
others  of  the  fraternity,  whom,  though  poffi. fftd  of 
Confiderable  talents,  fortune  never  chofe  to  bring  into 
the  public  view,  or  to  diiliiiguifh  with  any  of  her  fa- 
vours. 

But  all  thefe  difcouragements  apart,  if  a  lawyer  is 
emifienti  he  can  fcarcely  ever  be  at  ho7Me.  Perpetual 
cares  and  bufintfs  furround  him,  and  polfon  his  repofe. 
His  wife  and  children  mud  be  neglected,  and  domellic 
endearments  facrificed  to  tuviultuous  cares.  And  if  he 
be  poor,  no  poverty  can  open  the  door  to  more  chica- 
nery, artifice,  or  meannefs.  At  ajiy  rate,  if  he  be  a 
man  of  pure  morals  and  religious  principles,  he  has 
withftood  the  grcateft  temptations,  that  human  nature 
can  encounter,  and  for  fuperiorand  heroic  virtue,  almoft 
deferves  a  place  in  the  kalendar  of  faints. 

See  now  a  man's  partiality    to  hi3   o'vjn  profelBon  j 


Y  O  U  N  G     L  A  D  Y.  5.3 

but  if  it  be  not  founded  in  reafon,   I   beg  you  will  ic- 
jed  it. 

The  office  of  clergymen  culls  them  to  a  more  rcguhir 
and  retired  life,  than  that  of  moft  other  men.  Their 
exemption  from  the  buftle  and  competitions  of  the 
world  nurfes  innocence  and  fcnfibiiity  ;  and  if  their 
heart  be  not  very  depraved^  their  employments  and  ftu- 
dies  mull  /often  and  refine  it.  Their  education  Jljould 
have  given  them  the  power  of  entertaining,  and  their 
czW'xwgfuppofes^  not  only  'i7itegrityy  but  piety  and  virtue. 

A  man  of  thu  call  feems  particularly  calculated  not 
only  to  reliJI),  but  to  enhance  tlie  happinefs  of  a  mar- 
ried ftate.  With  hours  at  command,  he  has  leifure  for 
the  tender  offices  of  frienddiip,  and  the  little,  fportive 
piayfulnefs  of  amufing  converfation.  Whilll  the  wood- 
bine and  tlie  jafmine  furround  his  modell  manficn,  he 
dreads  no  unpropiti'jUi  accident,  that  (hall  drag  him 
from  his  retreat,  and  can  tread,  with  the  faithful  part- 
ner of  his  cares,  the  lonely,  **  fiient  haunts,  which 
contemplation  loves.'*  He  has  time  fur  fuperintendincr 
the  in(lru6lion  of  his  children,  and  calling  their  latent 
powers  into  exercife  and  a6lIon,  He  has  opportunity 
to  realize  the  pidures  of  a  Milton,  and  watch  the  open- 
ing beauties  of  \.\iQ parr.dife  about  him. 

Let  me,  however,  be  candid,  and  give  you  th<f  pofi-- 
vie  reverfe  of  this  piece.  The  church  is  in  a  very  un- 
happy fituation.  That  eujcaiion,  which  renders  the 
cccltiiallic  agreeable,  often  fiiarpens  his  affliilion.. 
That  refinement,  which  captivates  the  elegant  and  in- 
experienced, is  the  fpear,  which  fetches  drops  of  blood 
from  his  heart.  Frequently  without  an  adequate  pro- 
vifion,  and  incapable,  by  any  fecular  employment,  of 
itnpro'j'mg  his  circumilances,  tiiefe  apparent  privileges 
arc  only  his  misfortune.  I'he  feahbilicy,  which  loves^ 
a  woman,  doubly  mourns  her  allotment.  That  tender- 
nefs,  which  embraces  cliildren  with  fuch  afFe^Slion,  /hud- 
ders  at  their  profpefts.  That  independence,  which, 
refults  from  liberal  fentiments,  llarlles  at  t!ie  thou^^ht 
of  poverty  or  dillrtfs ;  and  that  peace,  which  he  has. 
found  in  tiie  abodes  ol  /Aitude^  unlils  him  for  the  tur- 
bulent agitations  of  the  world. 

Many  men,  however,  there  are  in  this  profcflion,  very 
1^5 


9+  LETTERS     TO    A 

amply  provided  for ;  and,  if  one  of  thcfe  falls  to  your 
Jot,  with  the  habits  and  difpofitlons,  ih^t  Jhou/ J  reiult 
from  his  charaftcr,  I  think  you  may  form  every  ra- 
t'jonal  hope  of  comfort  and  enjoyment.  Si  ill,  do  not 
fuppofc  me  narrow  or  illiberal.  There  are,  uoubtlefs, 
numbers  of  worthy  and  amiable  men  in  the  other  pro- 
fcflions  ;  there  are,  as  certainly,  many  ivorthlefs',  im- 
morali  and  profligate  perfons  in  the  church.  General 
rules  admit  of  infinite  exceptions.  And  as  your  heart 
is  difcngao^ed,  I  meant  only  to  (late  the  influence  of 
different  -liabits  and  employments  on  the  mind,  and  the 
probability  of  their  conducing  to  happinefs  or  mifery  in 
this  i7nportant  conuexion.  And  Iy?/7/muil  urge,  that 
if  a  clergyman  be  a  bad  hufband,  it  is  in  defiance  of 
the  ftrongell  indiicevients  to  be  ofhernvifc)  and  of  every 
difpofition,  which  his  ftudies  and  his  prayers  Oiould 
have  led  him,  cither  to  cultivate  In  himfelf,  or  recom- 
mend to  others. 


^-<>-"-<>- 


LETTER        XL. 


A 


M  ERE  country  /quire  will  be  more  attached  to 
\iU  jo^Si  \ih  hunttJig  parties t  ai>d  horfes,  than  he  tould 
be  to  any  wife  in  the  world.  The  moft  lovely  graces, 
the  moll  exquifite  accomplifhments  will  make  no  im- 
prefiiun  on  his  debafed  d^wd  vitiated  mind.  He  will  not 
be  able  even  to  dtfcover  them.  From  him^  you  mull 
cxpe6^  none  of  the  little,  foolhing  attentions.  ?Ie  will 
fliock  your  delicacy  with  a  thoufand  coarfenefTes,  with- 
out a  fe/ifibility  that  he  is  doing  wrong  ;  and  if  you 
fhould  txpoflulate,  he  will  place  it  only  to  the  accourit 
of  female  prudery,  conceit  or  affcdation.  He  will 
converfe  with  you  chiefly  on  the  delicious  fubjedls  of  the 
bottle  ur  the  chace  ;  and  he  will  occafionally  introduce 
you  to  the  honour  of  an  acquaintance  with  a  number  of 
ignorant  ill  bred  boors,  who  will  elleem  you  in  exadl 
proportion,  as  you  want  elegance  of  manner,  feutiment 
©r  underftanding  ! 

Young  ladies  never  a^  fo  injudicloufly,  as- when  they 


Y  O  U  N  Cx     LAD  Y.  95 

facrlfice  tliemfelves  to  flupid  vulgarity.  Their  charms 
are  never  loft  on  men  of  fenfe,  deh'cacy  and  polltenefs. 
By  them  their  throne  is  eftabliflied.  It  is  in  their  hearts, 
that  they  have  always  2i  fovcreign  and  undifputed  fway. 

I  have  now  given  you  my  fentiments  very  freely  con- 
cerning a  great  variety  of  charadlers.  But,  marry 
whom  you  will,  one  further  lefTon  Is  neceffary  to  your 
happincft;,  as  well  as  that  of  the  perfon,  with  whom 
you  arc  conneded — and  that  is — to  confider  your  ho7?iCt 
as  the  chief  fcene  of  your  pleafures,  and  your  exertion. 

Though  a  woman,  before  x\\U  union,  may  be  admired 
for  her  accomplifliments  of  dancing,  drefs,  painting, 
Tinging,  &c.  yet  after  it,,  we  expe^lt  her  charadler  to 
difplay  fomethlng  more  fuhJJantinl.  To  a  man,  who 
mud  fpend  his  days  in  her  company,  all  thefe  little 
fuperficlal  decorations  will  fpeedily  become  Infipld  and 
unimportant.  Love  mull  be  preferved  by  the  quali- 
ties of  the  heart,  and  efteem  fecured  by  the  domcftic 
virtues. 

A  man  d'oes  not  want  to  be  dazzled  in  this  connexion, 
or  to  pofTefs  a  partner,  who  feeks  the  admiration  of 
coxcombs  or  beaux.  He  wants  a  perfon,  who  will 
kindly  divide  and  alleviate  his  cares,  and  prudently  ar- 
range  his  houfchold  concerns.  He  feeks  not  a  coquette,. 
a  fafliionift,  a  flirt,  but  a  comfortable  afTillant,  compa- 
nion and   friend. 

Let  not  a  woman's  fancy  dream  of /if r/Vr/t?/ admi- 
ration. Let  It  not  be  Ikelching  out  etidlcfs  n^.azcs  of 
pleafure.  The  miftrefs  of  a  family  has  ceafed  to  be  a 
girl.  She  can,  no  longer,  be  frivolous  or  childifh  with 
impunity.  The  angel  o^  court(hip  has  funk  into  a  wo- 
man, and  that  woman  will  be  valued  principally  as  her 
fondnefs  lies  in  retirement,  and  her  pleafures  near  the 
nurfery  of  her  children.  Nor  arc  thefe  pleafures  fmai^ 
Whatever  fafliion  tliinks,  they  have  a  fecret  reliih,  which 
the  world  cannot  give. 

If  jn^n  are  exptfted  to  diftinojuini  ihemfclves  by 
fcience^  valour,  eloquence  or  the  arts,  a  woman's 
greatelt  praife  confilh  in  the  order  and  ^oo^  govcrnruent 
of  \\tK  faviily.  Nor  is  this  beneath  the  dignity  of  any 
female  in  the  world.  Never  is  ^t  greater  than  in  fucri 
condckcnfon.     It  fpoils  no  features.     It  places  the  very 


9^  LETTERSTOA 

fijieft  in  the  happleft  attitude,  and  in  the   moll  favoi:i- 
able  light. 

This  exerclfe  will  be  a  fovcreign  preventive  of  the 
vapours  ;  and  every  family,  ivithout  it,  miitl  be  a  fcene 
of  diford' r  ;  a  (late  of  anarchy,  in  which  there  is  no 
head  \o  govern^  and  all  the  members  fecm  unwilling  to 

»%. 

If  we  could  fee  the  inftde  of  fome  fadiionable  houfes, 
what  a  profpe^l  would  thi.y  prtfi;nt  !  The  mif- 
trefs  at  a  mafquerade  or  an  opera — fcrvants,  drunken, 
extravagant,  criminal  ! — Children,  receiving  thtir  very 
fn  ft  imprcfiions  from  their  oaths  and  curfcs — iiere,  meat 
perifhing,  which  might  have  fed  the  hungry — there, 
garments  mouldering,  which  would  have  clothed  the 
naked — in  one  place,  filth  and  naillnefs  concealed — in 
another,  valuable  furniture  tolled  about,  witiiout  de- 
cency and  without  care  !  No  fortune  can  anfwer  fuch 
imvioderatti  expences.  No  comfort  can  conful  with  fo 
much  diforder.  **  A  good  woman  looketh  well  to  the 
"  ways  of  her  hcufehold,  and  all  her  family  is  clothed 
<«  in  fcarlet." 

A  turn  for  diflipatlon,  in  any  woman,  is  unfcemly, 
but.  In  a  married  one.  It  is  criminal  in  the  extreme. 
If  ihe  loves  her  children,  what  can  fo  much  entertain 
her,  as  thtir  lively  piattle,  as  their  Innocent  enJear- 
meni?,  or  unfolding  their  latent  powers?  If  (he  loves 
her  hufband,  what  oth?r  fociety  can  be  half  fo  Toothing, 
or  half  fo  delightful  ? 

The  tour  of  a  woman's  gaiety  ftiould  terminate  with 
marriage.  From  that  moment  hirpuifuits  tliould  be 
folid,  and  her  pitafures  circumfcribed  within  th.e  limits 
of  her  lioufehold.  So  much  a<5  this,  (he  vowed  at  the 
altar:   fo  much  her  interefts  and  her  happlnefs  require. 

A  wife,  who  is  always  gadding  about,  virtnaUy  tells 
the  world,  that  fhe  is  unhappy  in  her  connexiLn  ;  that 
her  vanity  Is  moft  immoderate,  or  her  taile  moft  de- 
praved. 

What  llrips  this  union  of  Its  fwccteft  plcafures  ?  What 
makes  wives  and  hufbands  fo  indifi-.-rent  to  each  other  ? 
Difilpation. 

They  fpend  fo  little  time  top^t-thrr  in  private ;  aad 
it  is  chiefly  In  folltudc,  thai  aDcCtion  fprings. 


YOUNG     L'ADY.  97 

If  a  man  afler  the  buiinefs  and  fatigues  of  the  day, 
could  return  to  an  houfe,\_w1iere  a  wife  was  engaged  in 
domelllc  cares,  and  an  at]t,^ition  to  his  oftspiing,  lie 
mull  be  a  monller  of  favag-fhcfs  and  llupidity  indeed^, 
if  he  did  not  ftrongly  feel  the  influence  of  her  virtues, 
and  if  they  did  not  convey  ^  foft  rapture  to  his  foul. 

What  woman  io  moil  really  admired  in  the  world  ? 
The  dumellic.  What  woman  has  all  the  fuffrages  of 
the  fcnlible,  and  the  good  :   The  domeftlc. 

If  I  wifhed  a  lady's  pidure  to  appear  to  advantage,, 
it  fliould  not  be  taken  when  (he  was  drefling  for  an  af- 
fembly,  a  levee  or  a  birth  night.  She  fliould  be  holding 
one  lovely  infant  in  htr  arms,  and  prefenting  a  moral 
page,  for  the  in(lru£lion  of  anothdr* 

Such  a  painter  would  give  us  the  finefl  objedl  in  the 
world,  and  wrap  that  woild,  libertines  and  ftoics,  in. 
©ne,  general  admiration. 


LETTER        XLI. 


I 


A  M  not  at  all  furpnfed  with  the  Infiptd  life  of  tha 
parties  you  mention.  Their  cafe  is,  by  no  means,  un- 
common. Nor  would  it  have  rt-quired  any  great  pene- 
tration to  have  foreioid  the  confequences  of  fo  hally  a 
connexion. 

The  truth  i?,  the  gentleman  was  ftriclly  in  the  lan- 
guage of  the  world,  a  heau  d'efprit,  that  is,  he  dreffed 
fmartly,  fequented  (what  is  efteemtd)  genteel  com- 
pany, and  public  places,  drank,  hunted,  ran  into  the 
extremes  of  fpfliion,  and  had  fome  fortune  to  fupport  it. 
In  proportion  as  thefe  little  matlers  had  engaged  his 
mind,  fmall  attention  had,  you  may  fuppofe,  been  paid 
to  the  formation  of  hisheart  or  undeiftanding. 

In  this  thoughtk'fs  petiod,,  it  was  the  misfortune  of 
this  poor  gill,  with  an  elegant  perfon  and  interedii^.Lj 
manner,  to  fall  in  his  way.  She  was  beautiful  ;  nature 
had  defigntd  her  to  j-s'eafe  ;  and,  if  flie  had  been  con- 
n.e<^led  \^ith  a  feidible  m.^n,  might  have  been  moulded 
almo'l  iulo  any  thing,  that  captivates  in   gracefulntfs,,, 


98  LETTERS     TO    A 

or  aftonlfliea  in  under  ft  an  ding.  Her  perfonal  accora- 
plIfhmcM»ts  infplred  ihh  pc'f:f  T/;iiiirtf  .vlth  ^  fugitive  paf- 
fion  ;  his  fortune  was  competent ;  diffimilarity  of  taitcs, 
haoits  or  abilities  never  'A'hs  cotifidered  ;  tender  tales 
were  f  .vailowed  by  her  artlefs  innocence,  and  his  ad- 
dr.flls  were  accepted.  After  a  very  fliort  acquaintance, 
they  are  weary  of  each  other.  The  force  of  beauty 
and  of  pafiion  is  exhaufted.  He  has  not  tafte  enough 
for  the  delicacies  of  iriendfhip,  nor  knowledge  to  enter- 
tain a  lonely  hour  with  edifying  converfation,  but  flies 
to  the  bottle  and  his  mad  companions,  for  pleafures, 
whicli  it  is  not  in  her  power  to  beftow  ;  whilfl:  flie,  poor 
creature  !  has  leifare  to  brood  over  her  imprudence  and 
misfortunefi  in  ftill,  domeftic  fcencs,  having  learned,  but 
alas!  too  Ipte,  that  rational  and  durable  enjoyment  is 
only  to  be  found  with  a  perfon  of  virtue,  principle  and 
underftanding. 

For  my  own  part,  I  had  never  any  Idea  of  fuch  early. 
marriages.  If  this  girl  had  feen  the  luorld^  and  a  va- 
riety of  charaders,  (he  would  not  have  fubmitted  to 
fuch  a  conncxien  ;  and  if  he  had  lived  fingle,  till  he 
had  learned  the  extent  of  his  own  underftanding,  or 
the  nature  of  his  frivolous  and  criminal  habits,  be 
would  never  have  fuppofed,  that  mere  innocence  and 
beauty  would  have  fatisfied  his  vagrant,  and  Ucetitioiis 
wifhes  ! 

Befides,  what  knowledge  can  a  girl,  at  /f-^r  age,  have 
of  the  government  of  a  family,  or  the  arrangement  cf 
domeftic  concerns  ?  Servants  will  take  advantage  of  her 
inexperience ;  and  (he  muft  either  be  made  a  dupe  to- 
their  artifices,  or,  from  a  narrow  fyftem  of  jealoufy  and 
fufplclon,  (he  will  lofe  their  confidence,  and  become  the 
ol)je6l  of  their  perfecution. 

With  refpet^  to  the  other  cafe,  you  mention  with  fo 
much  concern,  it  was  equally  probable.  People  may 
accuftom  themfelvesto  fpeak  lightly  of  religion,  in  or- 
der to  be  efleemed  men  of  fpirit,  and,  in  a  thoughtlefs 
circle,  pafs  for  very  excellent  companions.  But,  when 
a  man  has  2i  family,  fuch  a  levity  is  infamous.  If  h€ 
believes  his  own  principles,  he  cannot  fail  to  be  mifera- 
ble ;  and  he  will  find,  that  the  fence,  he  wi(hes  to  break 
down,  is    that^  which   guards   the   chaflity  snd  affee- 


YOUNGLADY.  99 

tlon  of  a  'Wife  ;  the  obedience,  morals,  and  attention, 
of  children  ;  the  refped,  fidelity  and  principles  of  y?r- 
vantsy  and  the  whole  of  his  affairs  frora  finking  i;:to  a 
terrible  ruin  and  confufion  ! 

The  general  caufe  of  fuicide  is  a  total  want,  or  an 
unfortunate  fivftuaiion  of,  principle.  Without  the 
comforts  of  religion,  what  fupport  has  any-  man  to 
lean  upon,  in  the  day  of  trouble  ?  If  a  pcrlon  accuf- 
toms  himfelf  to  fceptical  reafonings,  he  believes,  by 
degrees,  that  there  may  be  no  future  torments  for  ihe 
wicked  ;  and  if  he  can  once  bring  his  mind  to  this  un- 
warrantable perfuafion,  he  will  be  ready  to  lay  violent 
hands  upon  himfelf,  whenever  his  pride  is  hurt  by  any 
fanciful  degradation,  and  he  cannot  afiy  longer,  fupport 
the  confequence,  for  which  he  has  been  diilingullhed  by 
his  fellow  mortals. 

"^►•"^►••<^^e><s>  ••■<►••  •••<>-» 

LETTER        XLII. 


I 


WILL  now  give  you  the  defcrlption  of  an  happier 
marriage.  I  have  been  fpending  a  few  days  in 
a  family,  who  have  long  lived  in  my  efteem,  and  of 
whom  you  have  often  heard  me  fpeak  in  terras  of  venera- 
tion. 

My  friendfhip  with  Eugenio,  (for  fo  I  will  call  th« 
gentleman,)  was  formed  in  thofe  early  years,  when  un- 
fufpicious  hearts  vibrate  to  each  other,  without  ceremony 
or  relerve.  For  his  lady,  fo  foon  as  introduced  to  her, 
I  felt  a  very  airjmilaiing  partiallly.  We  mingled  fouls 
at  our  firil  meeting,  and  they  have,  never  fi'nce,  dif- 
corded  for  a  moment. 

Eugenio  is  a  man  of  confiderable  learning,  and  ftill 
greater  t-;fte.  In  every  thing  that  relates  to  polite 
knowledge,  he  has  not  many  fuperiors  in  his  age.  He 
is  complete  mafter  of  mulic,  painting  and  poetry.  In 
architvdhire,  his  fl<ill  is  very  confiderable.  In-  all  the 
phenomena  of  «^/«r<^/ hiftory,  he  is,  profejfedly,  a  con- 
uoiliciir.     The  bell  writers  of  Greece  and   Rome  lie 


ICO  L  E  T  T  E  R  S     T  O     A 

conflantly,  on  his  table,  and  amufe  many  of  hislelfure 
hours. 

Nature  has  given  to  his  amiable  lady,  fuperlor  un- 
derftanding,  wliich  has  been  improved  by  a  good  edu- 
cation, and  polifhed  by  the  beil  company  in  the  king- 
dom. Her  mother  was  one  of  thofe  uncouunoyi  women, 
vrho  efteemcd  it  her  higheft  dignity  to  be  her/elf  \\\t  nurfe 
and  governefs  of  her  children,  and  taught  them  to  min- 
gle accomplifhments  with  knowledge,  the  ortia7nental 
graces,   with  domeftlc  afiiduity. 

I  will  leave  v5// to  judge,  what  muft  be  the  confe- 
qucnces  of  fuch  an  union.  Think  how  Eugenio  muft 
have  improved  fuch  a  woman  !  Imagine  how  this  lady 
mull  have  blsjj'cd  fuch  a  man  ! 

In  this  fai:iiy,  1  am  quite  in  my  element.  I  read, 
ftroU,  think,  or  amufe  myfelf  without  ccnfure  or  re- 
ftraint.  I  feel  a  fovereign  pity  for  the  world  of  fafhion, 
and  forget  that  there  are  any  charms  in  ambition,  or  any 
forrows  in  difappointment. 

Their  fortune  is  juft,  what  It  fhould  be,  for  folld  con- 
tentment ;  too  little  to  Infplre  a  fantalUc  emulation  with 
the  manners  of  \.\\t  great  world  ;  too  large  to  admit  of 
embavraiTaient  or  want.  It  is,  in  fhort,  neither  more 
nor  lefs,  than  ;^.  \ooo  per  anr.iun.  Their  family  con- 
fifts  of  two  fine  boys,  and  one  girl,  who  is  half  as  aml- 
ab'e,  and  diftinguifhed,  as  Louifa. 

Though  the  fafhionable  world  would  think  fuch  clr- 
cum (lances  narrow,  yet  that  ceconomy,  which  can  do 
every  thing,  has  made  them  very  comfortable,  and  their 
entire  complacency  in  each  other's  company,  rich  In- 
deed !  They  do  not  diflipate  their  fortune  in  expenfive 
jouniies  to,  or  by  refidence  In,  the  metropolis,  and  are 
too  happy  in  themfelves^  to  be  frequently  feen  In  any 
other  places  of  dillipation. 

This,  my  dear  Lucy,  Is  the  happ'c.l  of  lives.— 
After  all  our  ambition,  and  all  our  flrugglc?.  It  Is 
chiefly  ia  ihejljade,  tliat  we  mull  find  contentment.  The 
pleafuies  there  are  calm  j  they  are  pleafures  of  the 
))e.i:-t. 

Their  l.oufe  Is  fituated,  at  two  miles  diftance  from  a 

confiderahle    town  in  the  county  of ,  upon  an 

ejTiineuce,  which  commands  a  full  view  of  the  city,  but. 


YOUNG     LADY.  loi 

has  its  afpcA  to  thofe  woods  and  fhades,  with  which  its 
owners  are  infinitely  more  converfant,  than  the  more 
noify  fcenes  of  diflipatcd  life.  Elegant,  but  not  fu- 
pcrb,  and  fpacious  though  plain,  it  cxpreflVs  the  culti- 
vated talle  of  its  inhabitants,  and  the  hofpitable  kind- 
ntfs,  that  rtigns  within. 

The  plcafure  grounds  and  gardens  are  in  that  unorna- 
mented  llyle,  which  to  me  is  always  particularly  plea- 
fing.  Nature  has  not  been  wholly  facrificcd  to  art,  nor 
ivildnefs,  to  refinement. — The  wildcrncfs  here  and  there, 
prcfcnts  you  with  all  its  fliat'gy  luxuifance,  and  venera- 
ble glooniS.  Yi-'U  rove  inibufomed  in  woods  and  thick- 
ets, and  are  mingled  at  a  dillance  from  every  prying 
eye,  in  thofe  filcnt  haunts  of  folitude,  which  poetry 
lias  always  docked  with  its  charms.  Here  the  liand  of 
llie  Creator  has  formed  a  grotto,  and  art  has  not  de- 
ftroycd  it  ;  there  an  alcove,  and  the  pruning  knife  has 
rot  officiou/iy  feparated  the  entwining  branches.  In  one 
place,  a  little  fountain  murmurs,  at  its  cafe,  and  no- 
thing has  attempted  to  divert  it  from  its  original  chan* 
nel.  In  another  you  have  tufted  beauties,  a  cafcade,  a 
lawn,  an  hill  or  a  valley,  beautifully  inteifperfed,  ex- 
a6lly  as  they  were  fornied  by  the  hand  of  nature,  in  one 
of  thofe  more  fporti\e  moments,  when  (lie  wiflied  to 
pleafc. 

Through  the  branches  of  a  beautiful  hanging  woo<il, 
which  lies  before  the  houfe,  you  defcry  the  glittering 
fpire  of  the  parifh  church,  belonging  to  the  village,  of 
which  Eugtnio  is  the  patron,  and  a  very  exemplary 
clergyman,  the  prefenl  incumbent.  It  is  placed  on  a 
i'iftng  ground,  as  if  continually  afpiring  to  that  heaven, 
to  which  its  excellent  pallor  is  always  calling  the  affec- 
tions of  his  people.  It  is  built  in  tliat  gothic  llyle, 
which  I  always  mod  approved  in  this  facrtd  kind  of 
ttrufture,  as  bed  adapted  to  infpire  the  mind  with  feri- 
oufnefs  and  devotion.  But  it  is  not  from  the  mere 
beauty  of  the  place,  or  the  dclicioufnefs  of  its  fituation, 
that  its  enviable  owners  derive  their  happintf?.  They 
expe<f\  not  from  flirubs  or  blofifoms,  or  the  mc  ll  enchant- 
ing fcenery,  the  plcafures  of  the  heart.  They  know, 
that  the  riched  profpe6\s  would  foon.  f^de  upon  the  eye^ 


102  L  E  T  T  E  R  S     T  O     A 

if  they  did  not  derive  a  frerti   and  lively   bloom   from 
principle  'within. 

In  an  age  of  levity,  this  happy  pair  are  not  afhamed 
to  be  thought  rtllgloiia.  They  arc  perfuaded,  that 
their  bleifings  could  have  no  pirnianency  or  rtlifti,  If 
unfanftlficd  wr.h  the  fmiie  and  prote6lIon  of  heaven. 
Their  houfe  Is,  In  fa(5l,  a  temple,  where  prayers  and 
praifes,  are  regularly  offered  up,  every  night  and  morn- 
ing, to  the  great  Author  and  preferver  of  their  lives. 
Every  fervant  is  required  to  attend  the  fervlce  ;  and  they 
are  all  occafionally^  Inflru£led  In  their  duties  to  God  and 
man.  They  have  likewife,  each  a  little  library  of  de- 
votional trads,  which  have  been  prefented  to  them  by 
their  generous  fuperiors.  I  had  the  curiofiiy  one  day, 
to  examine  the  title  pages,  and  found  them,  principally 
to  confill  of  the  Great  Importance  of  a  Religious  Life  ; 
Beveridge's  Private  Thoughts  and  Rcfolutlons  ;  Tay- 
lor's Holy  Living  and  Dying  ;  Advice  agalnfl  fwear- 
ing,  drankennefs,  profanenefs,  d'C.  in  little  trails  from 
the  Society  fur  promoting  Chrlllian  Knowledge  ;  Wil- 
fon  on  the  Sacrament  ;  the  Chriftlan  Pattern  ;  Henry'a 
Plcafantnefs  of  a  Religious  Life,   5:c. 

It  would  delight  you  to  obferve  with  what  a  mixture 
of  love  and  reverence,  thefe  fervants  approach  \\\t\x  real 
benefa6lors.  You  hear  nothing  under  this  roof  of  thofe. 
feuds  and  anlmontles,  v/hlch  fo  much  imbitter  the  hap- 
plnefs  of  famiiiea.  **  They  live  as  brethren  together  in 
unity."  The  only  contention  Is,  which  (hall  be  moft 
ardent,  afliduous  and  vigilant  in  the  performance  of 
their  duty. 

If  Mnria  (Eugenio's  lady,)  has  the //"^/^/^y?  indifpo- 
fjtlon,  you  might  read  It,  without  aflcing  a  fyllable,  irt 
the  anxious  looks  and  gcflures  of  all  her  attendants. — 
She  was  lately  confined  with  a  nervous  fever  ;  and  it 
would  have  aftonifhed  you  to  fee  the  unaffe6led  grief 
and  concern,  expreffed  in  their  looks.  "  What  (faid 
**  they)  will  become  of  our  excellent  mafter,  if 
**  he  fhould  lofe  the  mod  amiable  woman  in  the 
*<  world  ?" 

The  piety  of  thefe  people  is  the  more  engaging,  be- 
caufe  it  is  always  cheerful  and  fercne.  It  proceeds 
from  reafoiiy  and  it  encourages  no  unnatural  auftcrlty  or 


Y  O  U  N  G     L  A  D  Y.  103 

gloom.  It  is  mixed  v/ith  fentiment ;  It  is  graced  with 
knowledge,  and  guided  by  difcretion.  Who  would  not 
pique  himfelf  on  a  liiondHiip  with  fuch  a  family  ?  Who 
would  not  wifh  that  .liendOiip  to  be  eternal  ? 

Wheti  I  have  add<;dyou  to  the  group,  I  fancy  myfelf 
in  pofTclTion  of  alm<(l  every  thing,  that  mortality 
can  give,  and  wifh  only  the  continuance  of  my  cnjoy- 
mcntb. 


^y..<S>^S><S>-<>""<>- 


LETTER        XLIIl. 


M 


ANY  people  of  fortune  are  uncomfortable  in 
marriage,  for  want  of  ewployv/chf,  or  of  fomething  to 
give  an  intereft  to  the,  otherwife,  Uifjl^'td  uniformity  of 
t!ie  fame  excuriions,  vifits,  company,  or  entertainments. 
This  is  never  the  cafe  within  the  walls  of  Eugenic. 
He  is  always  introducing,  from  incidents  as  they  rife, 
fome  ufcful  and  entertaining  topics  of  converfation. — 
A  news- paper,  books,  the  garden,  flowers,  plants, 
flirubs,  hillory,  the  azure  vault  of  heaven,  ftars,  pla^ 
nets,  or  even  a  common  'uif-^  furnifh  to  this  worthy  fa- 
mily, ample  fubjeftsfo-  obfervation,  ever  edifying,  and 
ever  new.  His  lady  has  tafte  and  iufornation  enough 
to  enter  into  the  fpirit  of  all  theie  defcriptlons  ;  and 
the  general  fcene  is,  not  a  little,  >.  enlivened  by  the 
mode,  in  which  they  treat  and  educate  their  chil- 
dren. 

My  good  friend  is  perfuaded,  that  public  education, 
as  it  is  generally  managed,  is  more  calculated  to  teach 
languages  and  fcience,  than  to  irc\ilcate  principles  or 
morals  ;  and,  therefore,  keeps  his  fons  at  home,  till 
they  have  acquired  a  fufiicient  (lock  of  virtue  to  ferve 
them  as  an  antidote  agalnft  the  dangers  of  the  world. 
They  have,  however,  their  rci^ular  fchool  hours  and  ex- 
erclfes,  wdiich  are  obferved  with  the  moft  undeviating 
punifluality.  The  older  of  the  boys  has  made  a  confi- 
derable  proficiency  in  the  Latin  Ir.nguage.  He  has 
abridged  the  Englifh  and  the  Romar.  lullories,  and  is. 
completely  verfed  in  heathen  mythology.     But,  above 


104  LETTERS    TO     A 

all,  he  is  inflrufted  in  the  fundamentals  of  religion,  and 
of  his  duty  to  God  and  man.  The  fcriptures  make  a 
part  of  his  daily  reading  ;  and  the  fenfible  parent  em- 
bclliHies  them  with  fuch  a  number  of  ftriking  obferva» 
lions,  as  greatly  intereft  the  curiofity,  and  fix  the  atten- 
tion  of  his  unvitiated  pupil. 

With  Rollln's  Belles  Lettres,  and  the  Abbe  Millet's 
Ele77ief:tsJ'ur  rhijioire,  he  is  perfedlly  acquainted.  The 
latter  he  is  abridging  ;  and  Tclemachua  is  warmly  prefT- 
ed  on  his  attention,  as  containing  thofe  immortal  lef« 
fons  of  virtue,  which  alone  can  dignify  any  charader  or 
nation. 

Eugenio  has  been  at  the  pains  of  throwing  feledl 
parts  of  Seneca,  Marcus  Antoninus,  and  the  Memora- 
bilia of  Xenophon  into  an  Englifh  dref?,  for  the  advan- 
tage of  his  little  family.  He  has  feled^ed  a  fyftem  of 
Ethics,  and  almoft  of  divinity,  from  the  entertaining 
works  of  AddifoD,  Johnfon,  The  World,  &c.  and  the 
arrangement  is  fo  excellent,  that  it  ought  to  be  made 
public  for  the  benefit  of  mankind. 

The  firfl  morning,  that  I  fpent  under  this  happy  roof, 
I  was  awakened  from  my  (lumbers  by  the  foft  harmo- 
nious voice  of  Mifs ,  who  was  chanting  to  the 

harpficord,  an  early  hymn  of  gratitude  and  devotion 
to  her  niergifijl  Qreator.  It  was  taken  from  the  Spec- 
tator.. 

When  all  thy  mercies,  O  my  God, 

My  rlfing  foul  furveys  ; 
Tranfported  with  the  view,  Pm  lofi; 

In  wonder,   love  and  praife. 

The  whole  reminded  me  of  the  words  of  an  ingeni- 
ous Poet : 

J'entends  encore  fa  voix,  ce  language  enchanteur, 
Et  ces  fons  fouverains  de  Torcllle  et  du  coeur. 

Her  voice,  th'  enchanting  language,  Jiill  1  hear, 
Thofe  fov'reign  accents  of  the  heartf  and  ear. 

This  is  her  conftant  pradice,  every  morning,  at 
ftx  o'clock  J  and  it  has  the  happied  effect  on  her  teoi'- 


Y  O  U  N  G     L  A  D  Y.  105 

per  and  fpirits,  for  the  reft  of  the  day.  It  footh» 
the  foul  to  harmony,  and  cherifhes  all  the  gentler  emo- 
tions. 

Immediately  after  this  was  finifhed,  the  lovely  girl 
took  a  walk  Into  the  garden,  as  (he  regularly  does,  when 
the  weather  will  permit,  to  obferve  the  gradual  progrefs, 
health  and  vegetation  of  her  plants  and  flowers.  I  re- 
quelled  the  honour  of  attending  her,  and  was  amazed, 
young  as  fhe  I.s,  with  her  knowledge  of  natural  hlllory, 
and  with  the  judicious  remarks  fhc  made  on  the  power 
and  goodnefs,  on  the  wifdom  and  contrivance  of  the 
maguificent  Creator. 

Before  breakf.ift,  Maria  (their  mother),  hears  all 
the  children  together  read  the  pfalms  and  lelTonsfor  the 
day.  To  this  pious  exerclfe  1  was  not  Invited  ;  but  I 
doubt  not,  it  was  a  fpeclmen  of  female  eloquence, 
delcanting  on  the  vanity  of  every  thing,  but  devotion, 
and  glancing  at  the  dangers  and  temptations  of  the 
world. 

The  employment  of  this  good  family  Is  as  {lrl<^,  as 
ufual,  and  not  lefs  pleafing,  even  upon  Sundays. 

The/'/j'?  excrcife  of  this  day,  after  the  accuftomed 
hymn  of  praife  to  their  Creator,  is  to  abridge  a  few 
pages  of  Wilfon's  Indian  Inftruded,  or  of  Seeker's 
Ledlures  on  the  Catechifm.  After  the  fervlce,  all  the 
children  gave  In,  to  the  beil  of  their  power,  an  account 
of  the  fermon,  which  they  have  heard.  The  compa* 
rifon  ol  their  different  merits  Is  pleafing,  and  the  very 
contejl  excites  emulation. 

When  this  Is  finlflied,  their  father  inftruAs  them  with 
a  Ihort  comment  on  the  leffons  for  the  day.  One  hap- 
pened to  be  the  hlfloiy  of  Dives  arid  Lazarus.  Very 
few  have  greater  powers  of  the  pathetic,  than  my  friend. 
He  brought  them  all  to  tears  with  dwelling  on  the  pi- 
tiable cifcumftances  of  the  beggar^  and  poured  this 
leffon  Into  their  foftstted  minds,  that  riches  arc  apt  to 
harden  the  heart,  and  have  no  real  dignity  or  ufe,  but; 
as  employed  in  afls  of  inercy  to  our  neighbciir.  He  gave, 
10  the  parable  at  large,  a  new  2iX\dfingular  afpe£^.  He 
obferved,  that  luxury  had  led  Dives  to  unbelief,  and 
that  unbelief  had  plunged  him  into  hell. 

On   another   occafion,    he    dwelt   on   the    fcrlptural 


io6  LETTERS    TO     A 

hiftory  of  Haman.  In  him,  he  expatiated  on  the  un- 
certainty and  ficklenefs  of  all  outward  grentnefs,  and 
the  infufficiency  of  honours,  ftations,  popularity,  to 
confer  any  real  happinefson  a  mind,  that  had  not  fub- 
mltted  to  ////(frwtf/ government  and  the  difcipline  cf  re- 
ligion. 

"  What  a  trifle  (faid  he,)  derarged  thi.r  great  man's 
enjoyment  !  Becaule  a  poor  Mordecai  would  not  bow 
to  hi-  pomp,  his  honours  loft  their  flavour,  and  his  dig- 
nities, their  charm  ;  his  fleep  went  from  him,  and  he 
refufed  to  be  comforted.  If  his  paflions  had  been 
fubdued,  and  his  foul  regenerated  with  divine  grace,  he 
would  have  been  contented  in  the  loweft  obfcurity. 
A  cottage  would  have  given  him  more  fatisfa£lion  than 
his  palace.  It  would  have  been  irradiated  with  hope, 
and  it  would  have  fmiled  with  divine  confolaiions." 

Eugenio  is  conftant  at  churchy  and  his  deportment 
there  is  an  excellent  pattern  to  all  its  dependents.  His 
featuies  are  marked  with  a  ferious  fervour,  and  a  cheer- 
ful dignity,  when  he  is  humbly  prefenting  his  fupplica- 
tions  to  the  Author  of  his  being. 

You  would  be  charmed  to  fee  how  the  honcft  pcafants 
dwell  on  his  looka!  v;hat  eulogies  are  exprefTed  in 
every  countenance  !  what  fervent  bleflings  are  poured 
forth,  when  he  ftops  to  inquire  about  their  families  and 
concerns,  and  what  earneft  wifhes,  that  hismanfion  may 
long  retain  him  for  its  owner,  and  that  his  continuance 
amongrt  them,  may  be  lafting,  as  their  days  ! 

Not  behind  him  in  any  of  the  7;//A/^rvirtues,  his  con- 
{oxX-lcoks  up  to  him,  with  a  conTcious  inferiority,  as  the 
pride  of  her  heart.  Blended  with  more  fr^ftriefs^  her 
pity  is,  if  pofiible,  ftill  more  engaging  ;  but  flie  feems 
to  decline  all /),?r/i>;?i;/ conftquence,  and  to  be  wholly 
abforbed  in  the  fuperior  luftre  of  his  chara<Eler  and  vir- 
tues. She  receives  the  prayers  and  bleflings  of  their 
tenants,  as  if  only  due  to  the  man  of  her  affeftions  ; 
and,  though  the  zeal  of  the  populace  would  convey  her, 
in  their  anfis^  yet,  when  Eugenio  offers  his  hand  to 
affill  her  into  the  carriage,  her  eyes  fparkle  with  pecu- 
liar cheerfulnefs,  and  ftrongly  exprefs  both  her  love  and 
gratitude  to  her  proteftor  and   her  friend  I 

It  is  no  wonder  that  they  are  fo  much  admired.     No 


Y  O  U  N  G     L  A  D  Y.  107 

wonder  that  every  tongue  loads  them  with  bleflings. — 
This  is  but  \\\t  fpcc Illative  part  of  their  piety  ;  the/^r^c- 
tical  is  more  ufeful  and  more  engaging.  They  love  their 
God  ;  they  love  their  Redeemer,  and  for  his  fake,  they 
go  about  doing  good.  Not  a  tenant  experiences  an  un- 
comfortable year,  but  he  receives  a  confiderable  abate- 
ment in  his  rent.  Not  a  pevfon  is  injured  in  ail  the 
neighbourhood,  but  his  caufc  is  pltaded,  and  his  wrongs 
are  redrtffed.  Not  an  old  man  exiils,  but  he  has  fome- 
thing,  by  way  of  penfioii^  from  this  virtuous  family,  to 
cafe  his  infirmities,  and  pillow  his  declining  age.  Not 
a  great  man  endeavours  to  take  advantage  of  a  leifcr, 
but  my  friend,  who  is  an  excellent  lawyer,  under- 
takes the  bufinefs,  and  expofes  the  oppreffor  to  his  me- 
rited contempt. 

Every  hour,  that  ^taria  can  fpare  from  her  particular 
doraeftic  employments,  is  fpent  in  making  garments, 
providing  cordials,  phyfic  and  accommod.uions  for  the 
naked,  the  fick  and  indigent  of  her  village  ;  and  there 
are  times  of  the  day,  in  which  you  would  con  jlude,  from 
the  va(l  concourfe  of  people,  that  their  hu-ufe  v/as  a 
profefl'ed  afylum  for  poverty  and  dlftrefs. 

But  now  comes  out  the  great  fecrets  of  their  happ'uiefs  : 
**  Alas  !"  faid  this  good  man  to  me,  one  ni^^^lu,  after 
fupper,  when  he  was  reviewing  the  aftions  of  the  day, 
'*  your  obliging  partiality  thinks  me  happy,  and  C)  ia- 
**  deed  I  am.  In  the  tendeinefs,  friendfhip,  fidelity, 
**  and  difcretion  of  my  Maria,  I  have  more  than  the 
**  treafurea  even  of  a  world.  But  this  fwcet  abode 
**  would  foon  ceafe  to  plcafe,  and  the  lovely  woman  lofe 
**  the  greater  part  of  her  charms,  if  wc  were  not  both 
"  animated  with  chriftian  fentiments,  and  if  we  did 
**  not  contrive  to  relieve  X\\^  famcnefs^  and  to  dignify 
**  y\\Qi  little ncfs  oi  \\h^  by  the  adllvitley  of  virtue.  That 
"  divine  philanthropy,  which  is  the  efTence  of  religion, 
**  is  the  fource  of  sur  pleafures.  And,  when  I  drop 
**  into  the  grave,  I  fnall  have  but  one  fingle  wifh,  that 
"  th'S  amiable  guide  niay  be  fpared  to  my  offspring, 
"  and  that  the  poor  may  pronounce  a  lafl  panegyric  on 
**  me,  with  their  prayers  and  tears.  But  how  very  fcl- 
•**  fifh  and  how-  cruel  is  the  defire  !   What  would  become 


io8  LETTE  RS    TO    A 

**  of  the,  thsyif  lonely  and  difconfolate  Maria  ?  Alas  ! 
**  continually  together  in  this  retirement,  continually 
**  endeared  by  growing  aAs  of  tendernefs,  you  cannot 
*'  think  how  very  much  our  hearts  are  united  !  But 
**  this  is  the  condition  of  all  kuwan  happincfs.  The 
"  tendered  love  mud  feel  the  hittered  pangs  from  a 
**  feparation.  It  is  the  decree  of  infinite  wifdom,  thas 
*'  this  world  diould  have  no  unmixed  fatisfaclion,  to  put 
**  us  on  earneftly  feeking  it  in  one,  which  is  unfading 
"  and  eternal." 

Thefe  are  the  fentlments  of  as  f.ue  a  gentlemnn,  as 
the  age  can  boad  ;  of  one,  who  would  do  honour  to 
the  polited  circles,  and  has  power  to  charm  the  moft 
improved  underdandings.  But  that  gentleman  is  a 
chrijiian.  He  has  learned  to  facrifice  all  glitcer  and  ac- 
complidiments  at  the  banners  of  the  crof".  And  this 
has  made  him  fo  charitable  a  landlord,  fo  a£live  a  pa- 
tron, fo  tender  an  hudaand,  fo  agreeable  a  companion, 
fo  indulgent  a  parent,  and  fo  valuable  a  friend.  Read 
this,  ye  conceited  coxcomhsy  who  fancy  that  the  cha- 
ra£ler  of  gentleman,  confids  in  levity  or  10  i  eked  fiefs  t  and. 
bludi  at  your  midake  ! 


LETTER        XLIV. 

1  CANNOT  fully  fatisfy  your  inquiry.  So  far, 
liowever,  as  fcripture  and  reafon  will  be  our  guides,  I 
will  endeavour  to  accompany  you  into  the  pleafing  fpe- 
culation. 

To  you,  who  have  buried  fo  many  dear  and  amiable 
friends,  and  had  ioJJyort  an  enjoyment  of  them  here^  it 
is  natural  to  Inquire,  what  you  may  fee,  or  know  of 
them  hereafter  ;  whether  you  fiiall  be  able  to  recognize 
departed  fpirits  after  death,  and  wherein  the  joys  of 
heaven  will   confid. 

It  is  plain  from  facred  writ,  that  our  prefent,  eartJjIy, 
will  be  changed  into  glorious ^  bodies  ;  and  our  fouls,  as 
it  were,  fihlivied  or  re-modifiedy  as  nccedary  to  the  en- 
joyment  of  future  blifs,  'whatever  it  may  be.     Whild 


YOUNG    LADY.  icv> 

lliercforc  wc  are,  in  parti  compofed  of  matter^  it  13 
impoflible  that  we  fhoiild  have  a  full  conception,  or 
that  any  adequate  reprefentatlon  can  be  conveyed  to  us 
in  nxiordsy  of  the  real  nature  and  ejfejice  of  fuch  plea- 
furcs,  as,  in  faft,  are  only  adapted  to  minds  of  a  much 
fuperior  texture,  and  bodies  of  a  more  ccleftial  and  di' 
vhie  organization.  Thus  the  fcriptural  images  **  of 
•*  thrones,  fceptres,  kingdoms,  of  fhir.Ing  as  the  (lars 
**  of  the  firmument,  of  being  clothed  in  white  robes, 
**  and  having  palms  in  our  hands,  of  feeding  In  green 
**  pallures,  and  bcliig  led  befide  living  fountains  of 
**  waters,*'  are  not  to  be  undtrftood,  as  conftituting  any 
thing  of  the  real  quality  of  future  happincf»,  but 
as  Impcrfe^lly  fhadowl  (g  forth,  by  the  analogy  of  fen- 
fible  obje<!ris.  joys,  which,  both  in  their  nature  and 
degree^  are  wholly  raifed  above  our  prefcnt  comprchen- 
iion. 

So  flrong  and  literary  juft  is  that  pHfTige  ;  "  Eye  ha$ 
'*  not  feen  nor  ear  heard,  neither  has  it  entered  into 
**  the  heart  of  man  to  ctncelve  the  things,  which  God 
**  has  prepared  fur  them,  that  love  him/' 

The  fame  idea  is,  in  forae  degree,  intended  by  St, 
Paul,  when  he  fays,  that,  **  when  carried  up  into  the 
**  third  heaven,  he  heard  things,  which  it  was  impcfii- 
**  ble  for  min  to  utter:"  he  had,  it  fliould  feem,  the 
idea  of  them,  but  could  not  convey  it,  in  human  v;rords, 
to  \\\tkuman  underilanding.  It  is  fufficient  for  us  to 
know,  that  thcfe  delights  will  be  of  ^  fpiritual  nature, 
proceeding  from  the  fupreme,  ail'perfe(rt  Jpirit^  and 
adapted  to  the  fullell  capacities  of  thofc,  he  has  been 
pleaied  to  glorify ;  tl»at  they  will  be  exqulfite,  as  un- 
bounded power  and  wifdom  and  goodnels  can  beltnw, 
and  lading,  as  the  days  of  that  ^/<?;7;«/ heaven,  in  which, 
they  fpring. 

That  we  rtial!  be  able  to  recognize //WvV/,  andamongfl: 
others,  thofe  of  our  ncareft  intirnatcs  after  dcnh,  \s pro- 
bable from  the  very  nature  of  the  foul,  which  cannot 
be  fuppofed  to  lofe  its  coTjpioufKefs  or  rccolle^iion,  whilfl: 

the  body  is  flceping    in  the  dull  of  the  earth from 

the  poflibility,   that  an  exquifjle  pr\rt  of  future  happlnefs 
will   arife   from    reviewing,  along  with  pr:[cnt  friends, 

Vol.  II.  L 


no  LETTERS    TO    A 

the  trials,  temptations,  and  foiTows,  which  we  over- 
came, along  with  them,  upon  earth and  more  efpc- 

cially,  from  the  attributes  of  God,  which  feem  pledged 
to  convince  us,  by,  (as  it  were,)  cf«/<^r  demonftration, 
that  thofe,  who,  we  are  well  affured,  fuffered  undefer- 
vedly,  in  various  methods  here,  are  rewarded  hereafter, 
and  that  fome  guilty  perfons,  who  wanted  no  profperl- 
ties  in  this-  world,  experience  all  the  horrors  of  ano- 
ther. 

To  this  dodrlne,  there  is  but  one  weak,  and  Ill- 
founded  objeftion  ;  that  witnefiing  the  mifery  of  friends, 
if  they  died  in  a  finful  ilate,  mud  be  a  dreadful  abate- 
ment of  our  own  felicity.  That  is  impoflible.  The 
affcAion  betwixt  relatives  here  was  implanted  only  for 
tef?iporary  purpofes,  and  will,  In  fome  cafes,  ceafe  after 
death.  Tlie  orily  attachment,  then,  will  be,  (as  the 
only  rational  one,  airways  nvas,J  to  fouls,  that  affimi^ 
late  In  real  <u)ifcio7?i^  purity  and goodnefs.  We  flialllove, 
in  our  degree,  even  as  Gfi>Jloveth,  not  with  the  weak- 
nefs  of  paffion  or  inllincl,  but  the  unchangeable  fubll- 
mity  of  order,  **  They,  that  do  the  will  cf  our  fatlier 
"  in  heaven,  will  be  our  fathers  and  brethren,  our  fillers 
**  and  mothers.'* 

How  glorious  and  Inexhauftlble  a  fource  of  happlnefs 
does  fuch  a  profped  open  to  the  mind  !  With  what  rap- 
ture will  a  tender  mother,  who  left  a  number  of  children 
behind  her,  with  a  thoufand,  anxious  apprehenfions  for 
their  fafety,  meet  them  In  heaven,  where  their  inno- 
cence is  crowned,  their  trials  are  finKbed,  and  their 
eternal  happinefs  fecured  !  With  what  dutiful  tranfports 
will  children  embrace  the  religious  parent,  to  whofe 
counfels  under  Providencey  they  owe,  confiderably,  their 
prefent  glorification  !  And  what  delight  mull  it  give 
both  parties  to  refleft,  that  death  can  no  more,  divorce 
them  from  each  other,  nor  a  grain  of  forrovv  poifon 
their  cup  of  blifs  !  Affed^ionate  brothers  and  fitters, 
unavoidably  fevered  here,  by  various,  important  exi- 
gences, with  what  ardour  will  they  renew  their  natural 
connexion,  and  reciprocate  each  other's  joys  !  Not  a 
fear  to  rife  upon  their  future  profpedls,  not  a  cloud  to 
darken  the  ceiellial  fl<y  ! 

Another  delightful   idea   of  heaven    Is,  that  It   will 


YOUNG    LADY.  tii 

bring  to  maturity  all  thofe  amiable  inftinfte,  which 
were  planted  in  us  by  the  Diety,  whilft  we  were  on 
earth,  but  from  a  multitude  of  obftaclcs,  or  the  fhoit- 
nefs  of  life,  conld  not  attain  their  perfeftion. 

Our  flrong  thirft  for  happinefs,  it  is,  on  all  hands, 
allowed,  that  was  only  mocked  in  a  world  oi  JJoadoius^ 
will  be  fully  gratified  in  one  of  glory. 

It  will,  probably,  be  fo  with  our  paffion  for  know- 
ledge— friendfhip — fociety — which,  when  properly  di- 
rected, are  equally  virtuous  and  ufeful  propenfities, 
and,  therefore,  alike  proceed  from  the  Author  of  every 
perfedi  gift. 

How  eagerly  do  fome  men  thirft  after  knowledge, 
but  how  much  are  they  retarded  in  the  purfuit,  by  the 
imperfedion  of  their  prefent  organs,  the  weaknefs  of 
their  bodily  frame,  by  the  long,  loft  fpace  of  childhood, 
and  old  age,  by  the  want  of  books,  acquaintance,  and 
other  opportunities,  or  by  the  tranfitorinefs  of  life  itfelf ! 

— or  when  all  human  advantages  center  in  one, 

privileged  man,  enlightened  as  he  msy  /^r;/?,  what  is 
his  wifdom  but  comparative  folly  ?  When  contrafted 
with  the  immenfity  of  fcience,  and  the  inexhauftible 
wonders  of  creation,  what  does  it  refemble,  but  a 
grain,  an  atom,  a  drop  of  water,  or  a  particle  of  fand 
on  the  fen-fliore  ?  Here  we  fee  but  through  **  a 
**  glafs  daikly.''  A  Newton  and  a  Locke,  after  all 
their  improvements,  felt  and  confefled  this  poverty  of 
foul. 

But  how  fublime  will  be  the  pleafures  of  this  inter- 
courle  in  htavcn,  when  the  grcatirt  men,  that  have 
ever  lived,  are  all  colltdtd  together  from  all  quarters  of 
the  world  !  When  thtrc  are  no  little  envies,  jcalouHes, 
interefts  or  bigotries  to  interrupt  their  mutual  cot. cord 
and  improvements  !  nor  any  languor,  fatigue  or  di:eafe 
in  the  renovated  frame  1  Wiien  the  Almlgl  ty  (liall  hr.ve 
unlocked  all  the  trcafures  of  his  wifdom,  all  the  fecrets 
of  his  government,  and  the  wonders  of  his  grace  ! 
When  the  foui  fhall  have  received  fuch  frefti  and  fupe- 
rior  inlet'i  of  intelligence,  and  "  we  fhall  know,  even 
as  we  are  known."  The  wondrous  page  oi  n-ture  will 
then  be  plain.  The  book  of  Providence  will  open,  in 
the  inoll  legible  characters,  on  the  enhrged  mind, 
L2 


112  LETTERS    TO    A 

That  myftery  of  redemption,  into  which  the  tcry  ai- 
gels  have  bevn  tlefirous  to  look,  will  be  unfolded,  in  all 
its  abyfTes  ;  and  tlir  confequence  of  fuch  difcoveries 
muft  be  an  inexprtlThle  fenfation  of  love,  aftonifhraent 
and  rapture.  **  We  fliall  not  ceafe,  day  or  night,  to 
•*  woifhip  him,  that  fitteth  on  the  throne,  and  the 
•*  Lamb,  that  has  waflied  us  from  our  fins,  in  his  own 
"  blood." 

The  cafe,  in  all  prohahilityi  will  be  the  fame  with 
friefidJJyip.  Friendfiiip,  balm  of  this  uneafy  (late  !  in- 
fpirer  of  virtuous  thoughts  and  cour.fels  !  medicine  of 
life  !  flill  chequered,  ftill  imperfect  upon  earth,  mixed 
with  caprice,  with  pafiion,  with  infincerity,  and  often 
chilled  by  death,  (thoufands  of  copgenial  fouls  pre- 
vented by  ftas,  mountains,  leferve  of  fex,  bigotries  of 
religion,  peculiarities  of  education,  from  ever  unitingy) 
this  friendfhip  fhall,  there^  have  all  its  fullell  poignancy, 
and  flouriih  in  immortal  bloom  !  The  an>iabie  of  all 
ages  and  nations  Hiail  be  affembltd  together,  frailties  and 
death,  and  the  pojihility  of  feparation,  wholly  done 
away  ! 

Think  only  of  the  expanfion  and  luxury  the  mind  en- 
joys from  unbof.  rning  its  pleafures  orforrows  to  a  per- 
fon  upon  earth,  from  the  focial  glow  and  confidential 
converfatioii  !  and  imagine,  for  a  moment  what  this  pri- 
vilege muft  i:)e,  where  all  around  us  are  friends — where 
friends  arc  angels — and  angels  are  continually  imbibing 
frcfh  {Ircam.'j  of  knowledge,  of  purity  and  graces  in  the 
prefence  of  th^ir  God  ! 

Our  focial  inftindi  likewife  will,  doubtlefs,  have  a 
fmiilar  gratification.  People  ire  drawn  together  into 
focietles  on  earthy  by  a  fimilarlty  of  tafles,  purfuits, 
habits  and  improvements.  The  principle  is  natural^  and 
has  many  laudable  elfefts  ;  and,  from  the  nature  of  the 
human  foul,  which  will,  probably,  be  going  through 
fucceflive  ftages  of  improvement  to  all  eternity,  may  be 
fuppofcd  likely  to  conttKue  in  a  gloritied  ftate.  Thus, 
though  holinefs  and  purity  be  the  alojie  medium  of  ad' 
mifpon  into  thefe  blcTed  manfions,  yet  focietles  may  be 
formed  of  people  of  fimilar  imprcvemv^ntsand  congenial 
talles  ;  of  holy  philofoplrrs,  (fuppofe,)  naturalills, 
divines,  doubly  endeared  by  this  leiemblaiice,  and  car- 


YOUNG    LADY.  113 

rying  their  various  refcnrches  to  perfedlon,  in  a  world, 
vliere  kp'^'vkdge  is  totally  unobllruded,  and  in  the 
prefencc  of  hin>,  from  whom  all  wifdcm  and  all  good- 
nefs  flov/s.  Whilil  the  difTtrent  manfions  of  heaven 
may  refcmhle,  on  this  principle,  the  fcatteied  gronpcB 
of  Itars  in  the  firmament,  and  adminifter  that  charm- 
ing and  exqtiilite  variety,  which  fcems  to  be  the  wonder- 
ful plan  of  Providence  through  the  WWif  creation. 

Thus  much,  at  leall,  may  be  fairly  inferred,  that 
the  intelkfiual  improvements,  we  have  mad<;  here^  will 
Xio\.  periJJj  \Vi  \\\t  grave.  We  fhall,  doubtlefs,  in  this 
refpect,  rife  with  the  fame  views  and  habits  of  thinktjig^ 
with  which  he  died.  How  much  men  at  j^refent,  differ, 
from  this  caufe  alone,  {\:i  that  the/  ^t/?,  and  the  7nofi  en- 
lightened, alnioft  appear  creatuus  of  another  fpecies, 
needs  not  be  obferved.  And,  though  a  Boyle  or  a 
Bacon,  would  from  an  union  in  goodnt'j's  only,  be  happy 
in  the  converfation  of  the  mod  illiterate  faint,  yet,  on 
all  principles  of  ajialogy^  it  may,  reafonably,  be  pre- 
fumcd,  that  their  biifs  could  not  fail  to  be  infinitely 
heightened  by  the  fociety  of  ihofe,  who,  like  them,  had 
fpcnt  a  whole  life  in  laudable  inveiUgations. 

But  \)[\t  grand  idea  is,  that  the  **  great  I  am  will  be 
prefent !"  He,  who  is  the  fource  of  all  perfedlion  and 
bleflings  !  He,  who  can  open,  in  the  mind,  innume- 
rable avenues  of  inconceivable  enjoyment !  Whofe  whole 
creation  is  but  a  ray,  emaning  from  the  plenitude  of  his 
happincfs  and  gloiy,  and  wlio  will  certainly  give  his 
children  all  that  their  f«/i7r^d'i  faculties  can  admit,  of 
pleafure  and  fruition. 

Nc'rewe  aie  continually  mocked  with  the  appearance 
of  happinefs,  which,  on  trial,  is  always  found  che- 
quered with  ill.  Here  the  fweeteft  odour  has  attendant 
briars  ;  the  moil  delicious  landfcape  has  its  fhade  ;  the 
moU,  apparently,  finiflied  enjoyment,  its  alloy.  Even 
the  fweet,  engaging  child  and  friend,  dear  to  us,  as 
our  own  fouls,  bring  infeparaLle  anxieties,  and  a  thou- 
fand  unquiet  apprehenfions  for  their  health,  their  inno- 
cence and  peace.  Every  enviable  Acquifition  is  followed 
wih  its  trouble  j  every  acceftiun  of  fortune  or  intereft, 
with  its  cares;  and,  in  the  height  oi  fcemingt  worldly 
^3 


114  LETTERS    TO    A 

blifs,  trouble,  mil,  wiJl  hiu),  tiirough  various  chinksy 
its  moments  of  i^drniflioD.  Hut,  in  heaven,  all  will  be 
umilxed,   ail  will  be  prrfeft,   all  will  be  fercne  ! 

Snch  is  my  private  opini.ni  ot  heaven.  Such  is  the 
paradife  of  my  hii-iginatiou.  If  it  be  innocent,  I  have 
a  ri^ht  to  indul^-e  it  ;  if  you  thinic  it  vi/:o?iary,  you  arc 
at  liberty  to  rtjed  it.  If  it  be  an  error^  it  is,  at  lead, 
a  plcafjn^^  one;  and,  if  it  fcrves  to  comfort  life,  or 
excite  us  to  any  laudable  improvements,  it  has  its  ufes 
in  fociety,  and  mult,  uUiniatcly^  promote  the  glory  of 
God. 

I  hope  it  is  t:Le,  becaufe  time,  which  difTolves  all 
earthly  things,  is  ever  on  the  wing,  and  I  wllh  to  have 
»y  intimacy  with^cw,  perpetuated  through  immortality. 


I 


LETTER        XLV. 


AM  truly  concerned  for  your  indifpofilion.  Your 
nerves  are  relaxed,  and  you:-  Spirits  cannot  fail  to  be  af- 
fected In  proportion.  The  comphiiius  of  this  age,  prin- 
cipally, arife  from  Inadlivlty  and  over  indulgence.  We 
thwart  nature,  in  a  thoufand  Inllances,  and,  in  as  many, 
fhe  retaliates  the  offence. 

We  almofl  ^//o/r^  in  hot,  carpeted  rooms,  inftead  of 
continually  expofing  our  bodies  to  the  open  air.  We 
goto  fleep,  when  we  lliould  be  rifing.  We  Invent  ar- 
tificial methods  of  provoking  an  appetite,  uhlch  can 
only  be  excited,  in  a  proper  manner,  by  labour  and  ap- 
plication. Axi^  faciitious  amufements  arc  vainly  bidden 
to  create  thofc  fplrits,  which  fhould  arife  from  excrcife 
and  air. 

This  may  anfwer  a  temporary  purpofe,  but,  In  the 
end,  It  would  dellroy  the  firmett  conilltuiion.  It  Is, 
in  fafl:,  undermining  the  very  ground,  upon  which 
we  ftand,  and  digging  a  premature  grive  under  our 
feet. 

To  me,  who  follow  nature,  and  am  only  a  fpeflator 
of  the  builliiig  fcenes  around  me,  thefe  ihlugs  appear  to 
liave  fcrious  cunftciucnces.     When  I  look  ut  line,  encr- 


Y  O  U  N  G  L  A  D  Y.  i  ij 

vated  ladies,  I  tremble,  by  a  fort  of  involuntary  \\:XC\\\diy 
for  the  rifing  generation. 

What  a  vigilant,  fyfteviotlc  care  did  the  ancient  legi- 
flators  beilow  upon  this  fex  !  To  give  them  an  healthy, 
vigorous  conllituiion,  and  to  confult,  \\\  particular Jitu- 
ationjy  their  eafe  and  cheerfulnefs,  was  an  obje^l  not  be- 
neath the  attention  of  thofc  heroes,  who,  by  their  va- 
lour and  their  talents,  governed  the  world. 

If  you  intend  to  have  any  comfort  yourftlf,  or  be 
of  any  folid  ufefulnefs  to  others,  you  muft  be  careful  of 
your  health.  It  is  a  plant,  that  requires  continual 
nurfing,  and  without  the  greateft  attention,  vvill^m- 
dually  die. 

You  muft  not  dlffolvc  on  donvny  pillows,  till  your 
frame  is  almofl.  thrown  into  convuilions.  You  fiiould 
rife  with  the  davjn^  and  excrcife  gently,  in  the  open 
air,  particularly  on  horftback.  A  little  cheerful  com- 
pany will  amufc,  and  keep  your  mind,  from  preying 
too  much  upon  itftlf.  Too  much,  on  the  other 
hand,  will  upl^rcfs  your  fpirits,  and  aggravale  your  com- 
plaints. 

Above  all,  if  you  vvlfli  a  removal  of  yo'ir  prefect  in- 
difpofition,  you  muft  cautioufly  abllain  from  tea,  par- 
ticularly in  mornings.  Hov/ever  agreeable  this  beverage 
maybe,  it  is,  doubtlefs,  the  fource  of  weak  nerves,  hy- 
llerical  and  hypochondriac  afiedilions,  and  of  halfthofe 
dreadful,  paralytic  fymptoms,  which  have  lately  become 
fo  general  and  alarming. 

Inilead  of  lauguifjjing  in  elegant  rooms,  you  fliould 
freqiicnily  be  ^rolling  into  the  iklds  or  garden,  if  you 
would  avoid  the  bitter  draught  of  an  apothecary,  or 
innocently  rob  the  phyfician  of  his  fee.  Your  diet 
fliould  b?  fimplc  and  moderate,  tonljned  to  one  difli, 
and  that  rather  animal,  than  vegetable.  You  ihoidd 
eat  fp?ringly,  but  oflcrt,  and  "  ufe  a  little  wine  for 
*'  your  rtomach's  fake,  and  your,  often,  infirmiities.'* 
The  town  has,  doubtlefs,  contributed  to  your  dfforder. 
Wlien  you  return  into  the  country,  its  pure  air,  1  truft, 
and  trariquii  iccnes  will  conii  JtrabJy  rellore  you.  Na- 
ture never  intended  fuch  multitudes  of  people  to  be 
crowded  together,  and  breathe  tlie  infinite,  noxious 
cfiluvia  of  gieat  cities.     They  are,  in  fu(ft,   the  f,-a\ts 


ii6  LETTERS     TO     A 

of  mankind.  We  naay  exifi  in  them  for  a  time  ;  but  it 
is  only  in  ihe  country,  that  health  has  any  thing  of  iti 
n:itural  vigour,  or  life,  of  its  enjoyment. 

Do  not  tamper  with  your  conftitution.  The  whole 
power  of  medicine,  \n  your  cafe,  does  not  afford  the 
Ihadovv  of  relief.  Difordtrs  of  this  kind  baffle  all 
the  penetration  of  the  medical  fraternity.  When  they 
p'-onounce  cur  cafe  nervous ^  It  is  only  fayir^g,  In  fo 
many  words,  that  they  cannot  give  us  an  adequate  af- 
fiftance. 

The  very  nature,  form,  or  texture  of  the  nerves  are, 
to  this  day,  by  no  means,  clearly  afcertaineH,  or  fully 
underdood.  Perhaps,  they  compofe  tint  fubtil  and 
amazing  union  of  body  and  foul,  of  miitter  and  fplrit, 
^vhich  eludes  all  inquiry.  When  they  are  difordered,  I 
know  no  method,  but  to  avoid  all  extremes,  to  fly  into 
the  countiy,  and  keep  the  mind,  \i pofible,  eafy  and  fe- 
re ne. 


LETTER        XLVL 


I 


F  I  had  the  opportunity.  It  would  give  me  great 
pleafure  to  be  of  your  party  to  Bath.  But  indeed  I 
am  quite  lixed  and  ftatlonary  here  ;  unable  to  move, 
or  vifit  even  my  neareft  friends.  Every  day  brings, 
along  with  It,  a  train  of  engagements  ;  and  almoll 
every  hour,   fubdantial  duties,  that  cannot  be  omitted. 

Nature,  at  times,  is  difpoftd  to  repine,  and  think 
fuch  confinement  an  Intolerable  hardfhip,  till  I  begin  to 
rcfltd:,  that  all  durable  pleafure  Is  derived  from  employ- 
ment ;  anJ  that  the  only,  real  dignity  of  life  confills 
in  doing  go^.d. 

Thty  who  2,xt  continually  \x\  motion,  and  varying  the 
fcene,  are  not,  that  I  can  difcover,  more  fatlsfied  than 
myfelf.  They  carry  their  private  burdens,  alon  t  with 
them,  over  hills  and  mountains  ;  and,  when  they  have 
txhauftcd  the  vvho^e  circle  of  pleafures,  (till  there  is  a 
great  void  In  the  fuul. 

I  was  o;ice,  for  five   weeks  at   Bath,  aa;i   recolJtcl 


YO  UN  G     L  A  D  Y.  117 

It  with  a  mixture  of  gratitude  and  pleafure.  It  was 
particularly  ferviceable  to  my  health  ;  and,  on  the 
whole,  made  impreflions  on  my  mind,  that  will  never 
be  erafed. 

The  very  ride  to  this  place  will  amazingly  revive  you. 
Woictllerfliire,  at  this  feafon  of  the  year,  is  one  grand 
magnificent  garden,  vvhofe  air  is  perfume,  whofe  fce- 
nery  is  blofloms,  and  whofe  walls  ere  the  fpacious  ca- 
nopy of  heaven.  If  you  trn.ke  Biidol  In  your  way, 
I  dare  promife,  that  your  curiofity  will  be  amply  gra- 
tified by  a  fight  of  that  ancient  and  extenfive  city. 
Though  the  place,  /;;  ;7/^//^  is  low  and  dirty,  yet  the 
adjacent  country  is,  perhaps,  the  mod  pidurefque  and 
beautiful  in  Britain.  Clifton  Hill  is  dcliciouny  roman- 
tic ;  on  one  fide,  commanding  a  full  profpe<fl  of  the 
city,  and  looking,  on  the  oiI:er,  tov;ards  that  mag- 
nificent ocean,  which  brings  the  Inhabitants,  all  their 
merchandize  and  riches.  At  the  foot  of  this  erninencv, 
you  will  dcfcry  the  medicinal  fprlng  of  the  hot-v.-ells, 
fo  celebrated  for  rhfir  efficacy  In  ccnftitvpt'^vc  cafts. 
Here  you  will  be  fliocked  with  a  number  of  walking 
/kelfCo/is,  who  are  yellow  with  ficknefs,  dying  of  con- 
fumptions,  and  breathing,  in  their  fighs,  the  emptlnefs 
and  vanity  of  all  human  things.  Thus  Is  no  human 
pleafure  to  be  unmixed  ;  and  thus  are  thorns  to  be  in- 
twined  with  the  rofe. 

King's  Wellon  tlill,  in  the  environs  of  this  place, 
has  lately  been  celebrated  by  a  poet.  But  the  copy 
comes  not  up  to  the  original.  Nature  has  painted  bet- 
ter than  the  bard.  It  is  vifited  by  all  il rangers,  not 
only  for  its  o^wn,  magnificent  beauties,  and  wonderful 
fcenery,  but  as  an  opportunity  of  beholding  the  fea, 
which  here  opens,  all  at  once,  in  a  grand  and  unex- 
pected expanfion,  on  the  aftonilhed  eye.  If  yoii  are 
fortunate  enough  to  have  a  fine  day,  you  cannot  behold 
a  more  fublime  or  ftriking  curiofity. 

When  you  arrive  at  your  journey's  end,  every  thing 
will  delight  you.  Regular  ftreets,  magnificent  build- 
ings, fumptuous  public  rooms,  delightful  profpeft?, 
walks,    hills,    vallies,     fountains,    gardens,    company, 

amufements all  will  proclaim,  that  you  are  at  Bath. 

You  will  feel,  that  this  is  \.\\q paraJifi  of  Britain  j  and 


ii8  LETTERS     TO     A 

that  the  goddefs  of  health  has  herej  more  particularly, 
fixed  her  abode.  The  mind,  it  is  true,  carries  Its  fecret 
burdens  with  it,  into  every  fituation  ;  but  I  know  no 
place  more  calculated  to  efface  melancholy  impreffions, 
or  do  away  the  bad  effetfts  of  over  exertion.  The  waters 
are  a  wonderful  cordial  to  the  ftomach,  and  a  powerful 
remover  of  that  indigefllon,  which,  to  the  fludiousand 
the  fair  oi  Jedcntary  lives,  is  become  fo  very  general  a 
complaint  ;  and  the  mind  infcnfibly,  lofes  its  little, 
/t?;;*;//'?.'/ burdens  in  the  general  gaiety  and  fprightlinefa 
of  the  fcene.  There  aie,  it  mud  be  confcffed,  many 
invalids  ;  bat  there  are,  likewlfe,  multitudes  of  youug 
pri'ple  of  both  fexes,  whofc  manners  are  very  highly 
til  ;c-'_qiu^,  and  whofe  faces  wear  a  perpetual  fmile. 

The  amafemtnts,  to  which  you  are  admitted  at  a 
very  moderate  expence,  are  condudled  with  the  ftricleft 
order  and  decorum  ;  and  in  the  charms  and  fplendour 
of  a  ball,  as  it  is  managed  /rrc,  one  would  be  led  to 
fancy,  that  life  was  wholly  compofed  of  pleafure,  if 
it  did  not  occur,  that  all  this  brilliant  throng  have  their 
private   vexations,    and   the   heart   its    own    bitternefs 

'i  he  Abbey  church  pleafes  i?/e  more,  than  almofl  any 
facrcd  edifice,  I  have  feen  in  the  kingdom.  It  has  not 
the  rjrandeur  and  magnificence  of  feme  others,  but  il  is 
more  calculated  for  life,  and  yields  to  none,  in  elegance 
and  neatuefs. 

Lady  H 's  chapel  is  vifited  by  all   ftrangers,  a* 

an  elegant  cuiiofity  of*  the  folemn  kind,  more  perhaps, 
from  the  melody  and  fv\'eetnefs  of  the  finging,  than 
motives  of  devo  ion.  The  good  woman,  probably 
founded  it  in  this  bofom  of  pleafure,  with  a  \iew  of 
calling  finners  of  diitinftion  to  repentance.  Her  in- 
tention v/as  amiable  ;  and  her  piety,  though  grounded 
on  the  narrow  and  intolerant  principles  of  Calvin,  is 
entitled  to  refptd.  When  people  openly  give  their 
money,  zeal,  talents  and  labour  to  am  caufe,  we  may 
tx\^^\\\^\x  fiucerity.  Nor  v  ould  criticifnn  expofe  the 
little,  invrAuntary  errors  of  thofe,  who  fcrupuluufly  adl 
up  to  the  di6lates  of  their  confcience,  and  have  thus 
literally,  **  left  all  and  followed  Chrift." 


YOUNG     LADY.  119 

Lady  H ,  it  is  faid,  has  much  injured  her  pri- 
vate fortune  by  her  religious  generofity  ;  in  building 
chapels,  fupporting  preachers,  and  many  other  public, 
and  private  donations.  Prudence,  furely,  did  not  war- 
rant fo  extravagant  a  facrificc.  But  it  is  not  ncceiTary 
to  expofe  a  condu6l,  which  fo  few  will  ever  be  difpofed 
to  iraitate.  Over-righteoufnefst  is  not,  by  any  means, 
the  fin  of  this  age. 

I  was  indeed,  not  a  little  difgnfted  with  the  preacher 
of  the  evening,  on  which  I  happt?ned  to  be  at  herlady- 
fliip's  chapel.  His  difcourfe  was  a  'violent,  inflamma- 
tory harangue  without  elegance,  reafoning  or  con- 
nexion ;  and  confided,  for  the  greater  part,  of  h  fevcrc 
abufe  of  the  eftablifhed  clergy.  Wtare,  perhaps,  too 
languid  and  remifs  in  the  difcharge  of  our  duty  ;  but 
to  expofe  with  virulence  and  rancour,  is  not,  furely,  the 
method  to  reform  us.  Declamation  or  fatire  irritates. 
It  is  folid  argument  alone,  mixed  with  love  and  gentle- 
nefs,  which  foftens  and  converts. 

Thefc  people  have  not  \.\\^ gracefiihiefs  of  piety.  They 
difplay  not  in  thtir  looks  or  manner,  or  ccnjures,  the 
**  beauty  of  holinefs."  A  fevere  critic,  perhaps,  would 
accufe  them  of  fpiritual  pride,  and  givq  them  this 
motto,  *'  Stand  from  me,  for  1  am  holier  than  thou.** 
Their  preachers  appear  deficient  in  general  knowledge. 
They  do  not  (ludy  force  of  argument  or  embellifliments 
of  ftyle.  They  are  not,  indeed,  without  zeal  ;  but  it 
is  wild,  extravagant  and  frantic.  They  do  not  feem 
**  pitiful  or  courteous,  or  to  be  poirciled  of  that  cha- 
**  rity,  which  thinketh  not  evil." 

The  jj^veated  dif^race  to  Bath  are  the  oamhlifi^T 
parties  at  the  lower  rooms.  Vv'ould  y(Hi  believe  it 
poflible  ?  You  may  fee  people  of  the  fiilt  dilHndlion, 
who  are  aduated  with  the  i?ifenia\  rage  of  play,  mix- 
ing with  a  fet  of  the  very  loweO:,  mercenary  fharpers  X 
One  would  fuppofe  that  their  pride  and  tadf  alone  would 
not  fubmit  to  fuch  a  degradation.  lUit  fo  little  is  all 
(lation,  when  it  has  forgotten  its  real  dignity  ;  fo  gro- 
veling is  the  human  irind,  when  it  hasloil  fight  of  the 
true  fource  of  happlncfs,  and  '*  is  hewing  out  for  it- 
**  felf,  broken  cifterns,  that  can  hold  no  water  !*'  Even 


120  LETTERS,    &c. 

Chcftcrfield  himL^lf,  with  -aW  \\\s  parade  of  graces,  was  a 
^upe  to  this  molt  ahominablj  pradice  ! 

The  Avon,  whicli  iuii&  through  this  city,  filled  mc 
V'lth  great  ideas.  Shakefpcare,  Stratford,  the  J-ibilee, 
ircmorial  talents  and  immortal  fame  rufhed  iutu  my 
mind,  a=  often  as  1  faw  its  foft,  flowing  ilream  roll 
Ulcntly  ahmg. 

I  Ihould  wifli  you  to  takt^  a  view  of  Prior  Park,  as 
a  place,  which  ha-  fo  long  been  facri^d  to  fcicnce  and 
the  mufes.  The  late  Mr.  AIlcp  was  the  Maecenas  of 
bis  times.  You  cannot  tread  ibe  ground  abi)Ut  it, 
>vitliOUt  recolleding  many  of  thufe  celebrated  wits, 
who  were  often  invited  to  this  hofpitable  retreat,  and 
entertained  its  pc  flefTor  with  all  that  luxury  oi  tallc  and 
lufcious  flow  of  foul  which  genius  infpires. 

A  great  character  (lamps  an  immortality  on  the 
places  he  frequents,  or  the  houfes  he  inhabits.  Prior 
Park  will  be  remembered,  when  its  elegance  is  moul- 
dered. Fancy  will  plant  a  laurel  round  this  manfion  of 
tafle,  which  will  continue  to  be  green,  when  the  man- 
fjon  itfelf  fliall  have  crumbled  into  atoms. 

You  will  much  oblige  me  by  a  frequency  of  letters, 
whiHl  you  are  at  Bath.  They  will  inr.prove  your  own 
talent  at  the  dsfcriptrje.  To  me  tht-y  will  give  a 
more  lively  recollediion  of  pleafurcs,  which  I  once  en- 
joyed. They  will  retrace  upon  my  mind,  agreeable 
icenes  and  im.agcs,  which  I  have,  forrncrh,  beheld. 
They  Tv'ill  intcrfll  an  heart,  that  always  vibrates  loyour 
pleafurcs  or  your  pains.  They  will  relieve  fpirits,  that 
are  too  much  opprcfled  by  a  variety  of  thoughts.  Whiljl 
I  read  them,  I  fliall  forget,  that  1  had  ever  a  com- 
plaint, or  that  I  ever  was  unhappy. 


THE     END. 


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t;;P 


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